Willard "Bill" Reed Petersen

Willard Reed (Bill) Petersen passed away on Saturday, January 12th, 2013 at home surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born November 22, 1926 in Logan to Willard and Kate Maughan Petersen. His early life was spent between Hyrum and Salt Lake City with his younger brothers H. Clair and Stanford Burke. Bill graduated from South Cache High School and Utah State University where he affiliated with Sigma Phi. Bill was active in ROTC durning his college years, later joining the Army. He served in the infantry stationed at Fort Ord, California. He attended the University of Utah Law School, returning to Hyrum to run the family sheep business. He loved his summers in Blacksmith Fork Canyon and winters on the Hansel Valley Range. Later in life he became a Real Estate Broker founding Bonneville Realty with his long time friend, Grant White. Bear Lake Realty was his final business venture.

Bill was active through out his life in civic and community organizations. He was a member of the Young Republican Party, attending many national conventions. He was an officer in the Utah Sate Woolgrowers Association. He was a Charter Member of the Hyrum Jaycees Club. He was a member of the Logan Golf & Country Club and a member of The Big Blue Club. He served as President of the Logan Board of Realtors. He was the Exalted Ruler of the Logan BPOE. He served as Commander of the American Legion Post in Hyrum.

Bill married Mary Belle Brown on June 12th, 1948. They loved and supported each other through good times and difficult times for over sixty-five years.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Belle, their five children: Patricia (John) Hansen, Hyrum; Shari (Bob) Parson, Benson; Colin Reed (Debbie), Hyrum; Krista (Gary) Thunell, Logan; and Andrea (Charlie) Fullmer, Logan. Other survivors include: daughter in law; Marene Hugie, brothers; H. Clair(Marilena), and Stanford Burke(Carol),sister-in-laws; Donna Zell Welch and Nelda Roskelly, brother-in-law; Russ Brown(Cathy), and many nieces and nephews who have fond memories of time spent with Uncle Bill. He was preceded in death by his parents; Willard and Kate Petersen, and In-laws; Russell M. Brown, Arlynn and Lloyd Olsen.

Bill and Mary Belle are the loving and attentive grandparents of eight grand children of their own, ten inherited grand children, and forty-three great grandchildren. Our family loved to spend time at their home listening to Grandpa’s take on life!

Daddy was a wonderful conversationalist and a voracious reader, devouring several newspapers and news magazines a day right up to the end. Compassion and unconditional love are just a small part of what we have learned from him. He had a passion for life and everything he pursued. What a wonderful legacy he leaves! We love you Daddy!

We would like to express our love and appreciation to those who have cared for him; Vickie Donovan and Rich Quilty from Community Nursing Services,

Dr. Steven Salisbury, and Dr. Ali Ben-Jacob and their staffs.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 26th, 2013 at 12 o’clock at Allen Hall Mortuary where friends may call on Saturday morning from 10-11:30 am and Friday evening from 6 to 8 pm. In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity or hospice.