William Stoneman

William ?Harper? Stoneman born December 6, 1919 passed peacefully March 5, 2006 of causes incident to Parkinson?s disease. Harper and his sister Willie were born to William and Nellie Wood Stoneman late in their lives as a direct answer to years of prayer. Stoneman Grocery was the family business and Harper learned it from his father. When his father died in 1935, he quit school to operate the store. Later he was able to return and graduate from East High School. Harper served in the army during WWII and later served an L.D.S. mission in the British Isles. Upon his return home he renewed his acquaintance with Jamesina Bannatyne, formerly of Belfast, Ireland. They were married June 22, 1949. Ena and Harper were the parents of five children. Years later his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of his life. Not one of them ever left his house without the offer of cookies, soda water, licorice, Kleenex, or one of his famous plaid coats. In 1969 the emerging world of supermarkets forced him to close the family business, a decision that broke his heart. He found employment with the LDS Church and worked tirelessly to support his family working as a security guard, a receptionist at Church Headquarters, and at Temple Square in the information booth. His desire to serve others and be a positive example of the faith was reflected by the gracious and charming way he interacted with the thousands of people he served during his tenure there. Everyone was treated with the same respect and courtesy, from high-ranking officials meeting with Church leaders to those needing directions to homeless shelters. He officially retired from work in 2000 at the age of eighty; but never retired from his life-long missionary zeal. Ena often remarked they didn?t need to serve a mission after they retired because she?d been on a mission with him since the day they married. He never missed an opportunity to ask the ?Golden Questions?. Words are inadequate to express our gratitude to the Utah State Veteran?s Nursing Home. The staff and residents of the facility will forever be in our hearts. For the last five and one half years, they have carefully cared for him as the disease slowly claimed his physical and mental abilities. Their patience, professionalism, and devotion to him to the very end was unwavering and kind. We thank them. Harper is survived by his five children, Catherine, Bill Debra, Allen Ruth, John Debra, Mary, fifteen grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Wilhelmina Stoneman Freeman and numerous extended family members. His wife, Ena, preceded him in death. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 11, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Chapel at 135 ?A? Street where friends may call prior to the services from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 225 South 200 East in Salt Lake City. Interment-Salt Lake City Cemetery.