1924 ~ 2018
William S. Gear, husband, father, and friend to all. We are sad to let those close friends and family know that dad passed away peacefully on June 12, a few days ago in Bellevue Washington. If you are into numbers, the date is an extraordinary number – 6-12-18 (divided by 3, and 6).
Fitting for an extra ordinary man. Dad’s memorial service will be in Salt Lake City, at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park on July 6, 2018 at 2:00PM (viewing, memorial service, and grave site service). He will be laid to rest with his wife and our mother, in a spot that she picked out over 40 years ago for them. We will have a formal remembrance page set up through Cedar Lawns and Wasatch Cemeteries. In lieu of flowers, dad would have liked donations to the Alzheimer’s foundation.
William S. Gear, was born January 29, 1924 in Eureka, Utah. He was son to William Day and Luella Emma (Sherwood) Gear. He was the baby boy of the family, with Helen, Merle, and Gloria as his older sisters. He was a proud Marine and always pointed out Tyrone Power in his Marine Transport Squadron 352, 1945 picture to any visitor at his home in Spokane, Washington.
Dad received his Bachelor of Science degree after World War 2 in Civil Engineering from the University of Utah. He was a very proud graduate and prized his U of U blanket, just ask JayCee. He worked for a number of companies building dams, roads, bridges, and in mining all over the western US and Saudi Arabia. When he helped build a section of Interstate 5, along the Columbia river, he was in the located center of the D.B Cooper hunt.
Dad married Cecelia Ann (Sally) Allen in April of 1958. Together they had three children. William “Allen,” Amy Suzanne (Skaife), and Lida Rose (Harris). Mom passed June 10, 1983, and dad moved back to Spokane to continue raising the kids. Once they left house, he was then blessed with seven grandchildren and was so proud of his family and competed with his sisters lovingly, and never ending practical jokes.
Dad is survived by Allen, Amy Suzanne (lovingly Suzy to dad), and Lida Rose and their families. Allen and Karen – JayCee, Will, Cole and Ben, Amy Suzanne - Sidney, and Lida Rose and Mike - Nicole, and Taylor.
Dad has joined Sally, and the rest of his family and friends that left before him to get heaven ready for never-ending practical jokes. Between his sister Gloria and Dad, there will be nothing but love and laughter there.
