William J. Straley

William John Straley, affectionately known as Bill, died peacefully Thursday Jan. 10, 2013 at McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, UT.
He was born June 25, 1933 in a farmhouse near Salem, Ohio. He spent his first years living in several small towns near Berlin Center Ohio. In 1938 his family moved to Youngstown, where as a high school student he excelled in many sports, particularly baseball. He was also very gifted in music and organized his own jazz band while in high school. Bill graduated from Fitch High School in the spring of 1951. He was awarded a music scholarship to Youngstown College and attended there majoring in classical music, clarinet, and piano.
When he turned 18, he played professional baseball for the Cleveland Indians as a pitcher and shortstop until he enlisted in the Air Force in 1952. He served in the Air Force for four years as part of the Air Force Dance Band. He was stationed at the Hill Air Force Base for much of that time. While there, he investigated and was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1956. He always regarded this as the most treasured day of his life. Bill was always a true and faithful member of his church, serving in many positions of leadership.
Bill married Sherrie Russell in April of 1953 and they had a daughter, Melodee. They were later divorced. He married Joyce Alger on July 8, 1960 in the St. George Temple. After the Air Force, Bill was employed as a Specifications Engineer and Consultant and worked for several different companies in many different places. He and Joyce were the proud parents of nine children. She passed away due to cancer on June 29, 1991. He married Margaret (Maggi) Howell Sharp on Feb. 22, 1992 in the Logan Temple. They lived happily together in Cache Valley.
Bill enjoyed playing the piano for special activities, fishing, and meeting people. Bill was a kind and caring man who made everyone who was around him feel happy and valued. To know Bill was to love him – truly. Most important of all to Bill was his family. He will be missed terribly by them and all who knew him.

Bill is survived by his wife, Maggi, his children Melodie (Kirt) Barrows, Cristy Straley, Shauna (Curtis) Munford, Marlene (Tony) Clark, Cheryl (Eric) Pehrson, Deborah Straley, Julie Dickson Marley, John (Jessica) Straley, Brian Straley, Jared (Alisha) Straley, Rich (Kylee) Sharp, 41 grandchildren, and 34 great-grandchildren.


Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 in the Providence 2nd Ward Chapel, 355 Canyon Road in Providence. A viewing will be held on Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center Street in Logan, and prior to the services on Wednesday from 10:30 to 11:30 AM at the Church. Interment will be in the Providence City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net