Donald "Don" George Wanlass

Donald George Wanlass, 82, passed away peacefully February 6, 2024. Born to Frank and Alma Wanlass in Pueblo, Colorado and later moved to Manti, UT. He was the eldest of 8 children. He grew up in Manti, Utah and graduated from Manti High School in 1960 and married his high school sweetheart, Sue Ann Gillespie, in 1962. The marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple in 1986.

They built a home in West Valley where they lived and raised five daughters, who love and adore him.

Don faithfully served in multiple callings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, setting an example of service, care and compassion for his fellow man. He frequently offered a helping hand wherever he saw a need and taught his children the importance of a strong work ethic, honesty and family values.

He also served in the Army National Guard for 8 years and received an honorable discharge.

Don was a gun enthusiast, loved motorcycles, and had a passion for flying. His adventures began with hang gliding, power parachutes and later escalated to learning to fly ultralights. He proudly shared pictures of his 256 pound “Mistress”, his beloved ultralight he indulged his passion for flying in. Early morning flights were his escape from daily tasks, and the occasional low flying game of chase with the coyotes on the ground. “I think I died and went to heaven today,” was his claim to susie, after his first solo flight.

He loved enjoying time with all of “his girls” in the canyon and was an expert campfire starter and marshmallow toaster. Each fall season, he would drive the family to see the leaves that were changing on the Alpine Loop.

Don will be dearly missed, fondly remembered, and always admired.

Don is survived by his sweet wife of 62 years, Sue, children: Michelle Salazar (Richard), Riverton, UT; Brooke Griffin (Steve), Saratoga Springs, UT; Leslie Mertin (Pete) West Valley City, UT; Penny Williams (Mark), Las Vegas, NV; and Terri Tyree, Las Vegas, NV; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; six siblings: Elaine Gray (Steve), Sandy, UT; Ruth Henderson (Don), Orland, CA: Robert Wanlass (Barbara), Mesa, AZ; Carolyn Moriyama (Joel), Centerville, UT; Carl Wanlass (Julie), Aurora, UT; and Charlie Wanlass (Sheryl), St. George, UT.

Predeceased by parents; sister, Catherine Wanlass; grandson, Nicholas Wanlass.

Funeral services will be held Monday, February 12, 2024 12:00 noon -1:00pm at Valley View Funeral Home and Memorial Park 4335 W. 4100 S., West Valley City, UT 84120, where friends may call for public viewing from 10:00am to 11:30am. Private family viewing at 11:30am -12:00 noon. Burial will be in the Valley View Funeral Home and Memorial Park. If unable to attend the funeral live, you can join virtually through the Zoom link below.

The family respectfully requests that anyone willing to share a memory, story, photo of Dad, please go online and share through his obituary link.