Willis Dean Wynn

Willis Dean Wynn, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on Friday, April 21, 2017, after a lengthy battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was born in Ogden, Utah to Daniel A. Wynn and Bertha Wheelwright Wynn on April 24, 1923, the youngest of three boys. He attended school in Ogden, Utah and was one of 42 Weber College students who enlisted in the Army Reserves in April 1943. As a commissioned officer, he served in Italy and France during World War II. He received a commendation for his work as a medic caring for the wounded in the battle of Ardennes Forest. He was a member of the U.S. Army swimming team and competed in the Allied Forces Games in Rome in August 1944.

When the war ended, he resumed his education at Weber College and then transferred to the University of Utah. He completed his degree with high honors, was an all-conference swimmer, and a student representative to the athletic board. After a blind date, he made what he described as the best decision of his life by marrying Marion Winder in the Salt Lake Temple on May 29, 1951. He earned a master’s degree in 1952, then worked as a teacher and principal in Cedar City for eight years. He and his family built a home in Granger, Utah when he accepted a position in the Granite School District. In addition, he was an adjunct professor of health at the University of Utah. In 1968, he completed his doctorate in education at the U.

After working in administrative positions in Granite District for more than 25 years, he opted to take early retirement in 1987 to donate a kidney to his youngest son. Family was most important to him, and he showed his love for them by the hours he spent with his wife and children. Camping vacations that included fishing at Duck Creek or hiking in Zion were among his favorite activities. Later family trips included traveling to the Oregon coast, Glacier National Park, Nauvoo, Palmyra, and Kirtland. He loved building things and working with wood. Over the years, he carved more than 100 hiking sticks for family and friends. He was a master teacher who served faithfully in the LDS Church for all of his life.

He was always physically active; in fact, he swam until he was well into his eighties and was ranked nationally in his age group. He shared his medals with his grandchildren and great grandchildren as a reminder of the value of hard work and fitness. He was a generous, loving, well-spoken gentleman who will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his wife Marion and his five children Kristine (Kent) Matthews, Barbara (Mike) Dunn, Tom (Janalee), Dave (Patti), and Steve (Bobbi), 21 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren. His parents and two brothers, Kay and Lyle, preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be held at the Jordan North 2nd LDS ward building (4270 Falcon Street) at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 29. A viewing will be held at the Valley View Funeral Home on Friday, April 28 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and at the church prior to the funeral from 9:30 to 10:45 am. Interment will be at the Valley View Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the charity of your choice, and gather your family around you for an evening of reminiscing and laughing together. That’s what Dad would have wanted most.