William Victor Erickson Jr.

William V. Erickson, 89, passed away peacefully with family by his side on November 20, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1936 to William V., Sr. and France P. (Trone) Erickson.

An adventurous youth, it set the stage for his entire life. He roamed the countryside around their then rural home in Bountiful with brother Ron, and spent some summers with their grandmother at her Rip Van Winkle Mine boarding house in Nevada.

At age 16 and overstating his age, Bill worked as a gandy dancer for the UP Railroad. After graduating Bountiful and Davis High Schools, he attended the University of Utah for one year on football scholarship before enlisting in the US Navy. He served four years on active duty (1955-1959) in the Pacific Fleet and reserve achieving the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class with honorable discharge and 1st and 2nd good conduct medals.

In San Francisco while in port he swooned his soon to be fiancé; marrying Helen Taylor of Farmington, his wife and lifelong sweetheart of 67 years, in 1959. In short order they had two sons: Todd, and Pace (deceased). He lived with his family in the Bountiful-Centerville-Woods Cross area until retiring on the golf course in Summerlin, Nevada in the early 1990’s.

Bill was an avid outdoorsman his whole life. He loved hunting, salmon fishing, fly fishing, camping, 4-wheeling, search and rescue, and exploring the bird refuges and southwestern desert mining towns. He also enjoyed taking cruises with his wife. Skilled in the kitchen and open fire, he loved cooking and grilling. His bread, chili, and cast iron fried steaks are legendary. His 1984 sourdough starter still flourishes.

A journeyman electrician and proud member of IBEW Local 354 (1972-1998), Bill was also a member of the Bountiful City Jeep Posse (outstanding member 1974), and the Audubon Society. In the 1960’s he was well-known as “Bill Junior”, the night chef at family-owned Wild Horse Charlie’s Cafe located on US89 in Bountiful.

At the age of 52 Bill took up water coloring on a lark, and his artistic talent flourished very quickly. Early on he won a blue ribbon amateur at the Utah State Fair - his first entry. Painting as long as his eyesight allowed, his many beautiful works are hung with pride on walls throughout the western U.S. As his art instructor put it: “Bill you could really push the paint”.

Bill enjoyed his family which included his wife Helen (Las Vegas), son Todd (spouse Kimberly, Cypress CA) son Pace (deceased); grand children William, Geoffrey, and Lauren; two great grand children; brother Ron (deceased); and in-laws Wilburn and Beth Taylor (deceased). He is also survived by his brother Russel Dee.

William was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, grand father, and friend. Philanthropic to the end, he was a big supporter of disadvantaged and homeless children. He enjoyed and was well liked by his fast new friends and the assisted living staff at his final residence. A story teller with gifted comedic timing, he was a warm, honest man of rare breed, tending to his disabled wife and sweetheart later in his life. We love and miss him.

William requested no formal funeral ceremony and that his ashes be scattered at sea with his wife’s upon her eventual death.

Please join us in celebrating his life and some of his artwork.