W. Philip Betz

Dr. W. Phillip Betz
Dr. W. Philip Betz passed away peacefully from this earth on February 11, 2012, after a long and valiant struggle against cancer. At his Gilbert, Arizona bedside were his loving wife and children.
Phil was born on July 15, 1946 to Laurie and Wallace Betz in St. Paul, Minnesota. He spent his childhood in Minnesota, Florida and Salt Lake City, where he graduated from Skyline High School. In 1965 through 1967, he served as a missionary for the L.D.S. Church in the Guatemala-El Salvador mission, serving among the Highland Indians where he learned Spanish and some Indian dialects. After his mission, while attending BYU in Provo, Utah, he met and married his beautiful wife, Kathleen Kelley. After attending BYU and University of Utah, he was admitted to the highly regarded University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco, California. After dental school, he and Kathi made their home in River Heights, Utah, raising seven children and building a highly regarded dental practice in Logan.
Phil found great joy in serving in the LDS Church, as a long-time scout master, youth teacher, ward and stake missionary, Spanish-speaking temple worker and high councilor. He had a special affinity for the youth, impacting many young lives for the better. He approached his callings with not only a commitment to those he served, but with an off-beat sense of humor and wonderment. A student of history and the U.S. Constitution, Phil participated in a number of historical commemorations, reenacting the role played by our country’s founding father, George Washington. He was also active politically in both the Republican and Constitution parties, the latter of which he served as County Chairman.
Most importantly, Phil had a great sense of adventure and zest for life. He loved to spend time with his family, whether at home, in the mountains, at the beach or abroad. A consummate tourist, he was rarely seen without his trusty camera, taking countless photos of people, landmarks and exotic locations. He was a certified scuba diver and an intrepid explorer.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother and his beloved daughter, Erin Betz. He is survived by his dedicated and loving wife Kathleen Kelley Betz, son Joel Betz (Jessica), son Brian Betz (Dana), daughter Kelli Ross (Zachary), son William Betz (Amy), daughter Susan Hansen (John), daughter Carolyn Cutler (Chase) and son Brent Skinner (Breanne), in addition to twenty grandchildren and his sisters Kathy Boyce and Judy Luke (Layne), as well as a number of foster children.
To our wonderful, loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and brother, we say: Thank you for touching our lives, helping us to be better people, and leading us by your example, love and selfless service. You will be missed, but we know that Heavenly Father has a wonderful mission for you on the other side of the veil.
Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, February 18th at the River Heights Stake Center,

800 S. 600 East, River Heights, Utah. A viewing will be held Friday, February 17th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center Street, Logan Utah and prior to the services at the church on Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 AM. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net
[In lieu of flowers, the Betz Family requests that you consider donating to the Cystic-Fibrosis Foundation, 124 S. 400 East, Suite 250, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 or visit their website at www.cff.org ]