William Reed Edgel

Reed Edgel, beloved husband, father, grandfather, cowboy, troubadour and faithful, loving disciple of Jesus Christ passed away at age 81 in Salt Lake City on March 31, 2025. His services will be held Saturday, April 12, 12:00 pm at the Winder Chapel, 1361 E. 4000 S. SLC, 84124. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Edgel Memorial Scholarship Fund. http://www.venmo.com/u/Tedgel

Reed and his wife Kay Maree Fox Cutler Edgel married in 1981 and have lived in Salt Lake City since 1994. They have been dedicated members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints throughout their 43 years of marriage and adult lives. Reed served his fellow Saints in many ways, as a home teacher, Bishop, Stake President, Branch President, and most importantly, a friend to all. His greatest joy came through service. He humbly served in the Salt Lake Temple alongside his wife for twenty-three years. In his final weeks, the care team would ask, “what are you goals today?” Reed responded daily, “If I am blessed to continue my life, then my goal is to continue to serve my Branch, my neighbors, and fellow Saints. However, when death becomes inevitable, then I believe it should be considered a natural extension of life.” His faith never wavered as he approached the promise of his eternal life.

Reed was born in Albuquerque, NM to Ralph and Reva Edgel. He and his brother Steven Edgel had an intellectually stimulating childhood growing up on the University of New Mexico campus where their father was a professor. Reed met his first wife, Rita Cheryl Wilson Edgel in 1964. They were married for 16 years and had 5 children together before Rita tragically died in 1980. The following year Reed met and married Kay Fox Cutler. Their combined children grew and became the loving family that mourns him today. Reed is survived by Kay, her daughter Leslie Potter and her Husband David, his sons Bill Edgel and his wife Tricia, David Edgel and his wife Carol, Micheal Edgel and his husband Tony, Todd Edgel and his fiancé Jennifer, and Heather Edgel Dodd and her Wilson. Reed had 14 grandchildren, Arianne & Ryan Edgel, Aubree, Neal, Logan, Nathan, & Kayla Edgel, Mackenzie, Sage, & Trinity Potter, Hannah Edgel, and Ashli, Brandon, & Cameron Dodd. and 6 great-grandchildren: Ari, Naomi, Darla, Blakely, Carmen and Miles. Reed is preceded in death by his first wife, Rita, his parents, his brother, his grandson Logan, and his granddaughter Arianne.

Reed’s faith and family blessed and anchored him, but his education and career also brought him great joy. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in the School of Engineering at the University of New Mexico. Then, in 1987, he followed that with a Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, also at UNM, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. In 2003 he completed his PhD in Safety Engineering through Kennedy Western University and extended his career in forensic engineering. His pursuit of engineering excellence led him to found W. Reed Edgel and Associates in 1973, which he led for 38 years. Then, in 2011 he founded K & R Research Foundation where he conducted research in science, engineering and other fields that applied the laws of nature to the benefit of mankind.

Reed was a life-long tinker-er. When his first son was just a baby he had a wonderful spinning toy. One day Reed’s curiosity led him to take it apart to see how it worked. Engineer and scientist that he was, he never got it back together again. That little joke followed him throughout his life and was the source of his delight in the song The Marvelous Little Toy that he played for and with his kids. He was an excellent guitarist and played in a trio that covered Peter, Paul and Mary songs. Reed was an avid gardener. His bounty of zucchini was like the proverbial loaves and fishes. One year it produced so much that his home teaching families, the benefactors of his bounty, lovingly pleaded with him to stop leaving mountains of zucchini on their doorsteps. Reed’s tinkering never stopped, it just expanded to bigger things. He loved putting his engineering skills to use around the house especially in the areas of sustainability, self-sufficiency, energy efficiency and woodworking. His kids all fondly remember the Christmas he gave each of them homemade, end-table sized, wooden food storage dispensers for Christmas gifts. There is still one in his kitchen today.

Reed also loved fly fishing. Growing up in New Mexico, he knew the Jemez mountains like a brother. People used to tease that he fished the Jemez River so much that he knew the families of fish and their genealogies. He loved nothing more than casting his line with his children by his side. In 2010, when his sons were grown with boys of their own, they took a Father/Son fishing trip to his beloved river. The day went beautifully, until Reed suffered a health crisis. He appeared to be having a stroke. He thought he was fine, but he was walking side-ways and unable to stand steadily. His sons encouraged him to leave the river, but he resisted, saying, “If I go today, I’ll be happy because I’m with my boys.” He did eventually give in to reason and go to the hospital, but his love for his children, all of them, was apparent as he walked a bit closer to the Lord that particular afternoon. These past few weeks all his children have sat beside Reed and Kay and laughed with love-filled memories. William Reed Edgel, husband, father, grandfather, and friend leaves a legacy of love in all who remember him.