William Wirthlin

1923 ~ 2012

Surrounded by loving family, William "Meeks" Wirthlin peacefully passed away on May 23, 2012 at his home. He was born on September 19, 1923 as the first and only child to Joseph Wirthlin and Mary Jane Meeks Wirthlin. His father was a widower with seven children when he married his mother on April 23, 1921. All seven of his half-brothers and sisters were married and had left home.

In his early years, he spent many summers in Bicknell, Utah, the home of his mother, where he learned to fish, hunt and ride horses. This was the beginning of his lifelong passion for horses and the outdoors.

On a hot, dry, dusty August 13, 1937 he was involved in a horrible dynamite cap accident that left him with only two fingers on his right hand. This single traumatic event could have crippled and limited his life, emotionally as well as physically. However, with the support of others, he was able to transform tragedy into determination, weakness into strength and a potential lifetime disability became the fuel for a powerful and successful sports and professional career.

Two years after his accident he qualified to play basketball, baseball, and football at East High School and achieved "All City" in all three sports. In 1940 he received the prestigious "All Around Athlete Award at East High School". A quote from East High's Red and Black publication stated: "Meeks Wirthlin is one of the finest athletes to be developed at East. He is undoubtedly the pluckiest." Meeks attended the University of Utah in 1943 and 1944 and lettered in both basketball and football.

His proficiency in softball was legendary. Meeks played on five state championship softball teams and was voted Most Valuable Player in three state softball tournaments. He played on a state champion fast pitch softball team that competed in the final game of the U.S. Amateur Fast Pitch Softball Champion Tournament in 1957. He held the record for most home runs at White Park and was inducted into the Utah State Amateur Hall of Fame for Softball.

In 1946 Meeks enthusiastically began his professional career in real estate as a salesman for Capson-Bowman Realtors. He later formed Wright-Wirthlin Realtors with W. Adrian Wright in 1950. In 1959 he started his own company, Meeks Wirthlin Real Estate Corp., which grew to become one of the largest residential real estate brokerage firms along the Wasatch Front. Additionally, Meeks participated in the development of several projects, including the initial concept, land acquisition and marketing for Pinebrook, a large planned unit development in Summit County. He served as President of the Salt Lake Board of Realtors in 1960 and was honored as the Realtor of the Year for the State of Utah in 1979.

Meeks generously contributed his time and proven leadership skills by serving on several professional and community service boards including the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce (Board of Governors), "U" Men's Club (Past President), Hot Stove League (Past President), Bonneville Kiwanis Club (Director), Independent Fee Appraisers (Past President), The Country Club (Past Vice President) and Apartment House Association (Past President).

He deeply believed in supporting law enforcement and was a long time member of the Salt Lake Honorary Colonels. He financially sponsored the annual Salt Lake Honorary Colonel's Golf Tournament for many years.

He met his beautiful wife, Betty Jo Garff, at the Rainbow Rendevous in Salt Lake City and married in 1946. He was renown for his skillful dancing. They could "cut a rug" on any dance floor. Betty Jo and Meeks thoroughly enjoyed socializing and having fun with friends and family. Betty Jo passed away on July 3, 2008. Their ultimate joy was spending time with their children: Michelle, Bill (Lisa), Todd (Lee), Lori Eskelson (Farley), Wendi Wilkinson-Parker (Kerry), Trisha Saarela (Perry) and their grandchildren (Rob, Jason, Enoch, Jennie, Ashlee, Melissa, Whitney, Will, Mariel, Whitman, James, Sissy) and 10 great grandchildren.

Meeks truly loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting, riding his horses and spending time at his Lazy8 Ranch in Turnerville, Wyoming. Many joyful days were shared with family and friends in the spectacular Star Valley area.

Meeks enjoyed his Sunday drives with family, inspecting and viewing property throughout Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. His Sunday four-wheel drive adventures (and mis-adventures!) with his family will truly be missed.

Sincere thanks to the many caregivers, specifically: Dr. John Deitlein, Danville Support Services and Vista Care Hospice for their professional and kind care of our father. We also thank family and the many friends who cared for and visited Meeks during the last year of his life.