William McKenzie (Mack) Lawrence

William McKenzie (Mack) Lawrence, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, devoted church leader, business executive and wonderful friend, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, June 22, 2018, of causes incident to age.

Mack was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 28, 1926 to Richard Sterling Lawrence and Thelma McKenzie Lawrence. He graduated from Provo High School in 1945 and from the University of Utah in 1950 with a degree in business and marketing. He then serviced in the U.S. Army at the end of World War II. While at the University of Utah he affiliated with Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He later served on the Alumni Board of the University of Utah.

He married Jacqueline (Jackie) Young Lawrence on June 15, 1949 in the Salt Lake Temple with John A. Widsoe officiating. Mack and Jackie have three children: Craig S. (Valerie) Lawrence, the late Deborah (Al) Poarch, and Pamela (Lane) Castleton. Mack and Jackie were married for 60 years prior to Jackie’s death in 2009 following her valiant battle with Parkinson’s disease. Mack married Judith Hegelstad Bullough on January 11, 2013 in the Salt Lake Temple. Mack and Judy enjoyed many happy years together as they traveled and participated in many family activities. Mack is the proud grandfather of ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, including Wesley William Castleton who preceded him in death.

Mack’s church service included serving in the Seventies Quorum as a general authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was called in December 1990 and later released in the October 1996 General Conference. He was Area President of the U.S. Southwest area for three years. Other callings included Regional Representative, Stake Presidency, Bishop, High Councilor, Stake Clerk, Gospel Doctrine Teacher plus other assignments. He was a temple sealer in the Salt Lake Temple for an extended period of time. Mack influenced many church leaders and blessed the lives of many church members through his leadership, teachings and example. He had a firm conviction of the teachings of the church and an unshakeable testimony of Jesus Christ.

He retired in October 1990 as Utah Vice President and C.E.O. of US West (formerly Mountain Bell, and Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Co., now CenturyLink). He lived in Denver (two different occasions), Provo, and Salt Lake City spanning a career of 39 ½ years. He served on several boards of directors including Zions First National Bank, Murdock Travel and State Savings and Loan Co. He was Board Chairman of Zions Securities Corp.

His civic appointments included Board of Directors American Red Cross, Campaign Chairman United Way. Board of Directors of Utah Taxpayers Association, Board of Directors of Utah Manufacturing Association, (where he was honored as outstanding business man of the year in 1986), President Salt Lake Rotary Club, Board of Trustees Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau, Board of Trustees Westminster College, Chairman of the Utah Board of Business and Economic Development, Chairman Board of Governors Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce, Utah Symphony Board of Directors, Executive Committee of the Utah Foundation, Chairman of the Board Better Business Bureau for two years, and Chairman “The Campaign for Children” at Primary Children’s Medical Center. Mack was also an honorary Colonel in Utah National Guard.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at 11:00 a.m., at the LDS Valley View Stake Center, 2245 E. 3900 South, Salt Lake City, Utah. A viewing will be held Friday evening, June 29, 2018, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary and at the LDS Stake Center prior to the service from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Missionary Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.