Hal Morgan Wilcox

Hal Morgan Wilcox Hal M. Wilcox, age 82, passed through the veil of mortality on September 21, 2013, leaving behind the inspiring memory and testimony of a life well lived. He died in his beloved home of 52 years surrounded by his family. Hal was born August 7, 1931, in the basement of the sturdy brick house that stands on the northeast corner of Center Street and 300 East in Clearfield, Utah, across the way from the old Wasatch Elementary School. As a child of the great depression, he acquired early and by hard experience the temporal skills and righteous qualities that guided him throughout his life. His mother, Viola Pearl Walker, taught him how to speak proper English, and that the morning song of the vanishing meadowlarks was their way of saying “Clearfield is a pretty little place.” His father, Emery H. Wilcox, taught him how to work the sandy soil of his hometown and to freely share its God-given abundance. Hal served a mission for the LDS Church in the Central States (1950-1952), was a veteran of the Korean War, and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah. He baptized (June 3, 1956) and married in the Salt Lake Temple (Nov 27, 1957) his foreordained helpmeet, Mary Yvonne Over (Vonnie), and soon discovered that her physical beauty was gracefully accompanied by a keen intellect and profound, spiritual strength. They honorably raised five children and are humbly honored by each of them. Hal was a disciple of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His mind was disciplined by persistent study of the Word of God. He boldly stood and taught the gospel in ways that some had never heard before because his natural man was changed mightily by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He became a new creature in Christ, and as such, was endowed with the virtue necessary to change the lives of others. His wife became one with him, receiving of the same gift and virtue. Hal’s home and yard are a well known gathering place for friends and family. His beloved sycamore trees provided a constant invitation of shade and shelter, while his garden yielded a delightsome variety of fruit and vegetables. Some came to be resupplied with daily bread, but most gathered to feast on what he knew about the Bread of Life, returning home well fed, both physically and spiritually. During evening visits, even Hal’s young children were allowed to be present. Upon tiring, they retrieved their pillows and fell asleep on the living room floor, listening to the peaceful sound of gospel conversation. Dearest Hal, yours is the legacy of a virtue-filled life, an example of a good tree that has abundantly borne good fruit. We already miss you, our father, friend, brother and patriarch. With grateful hearts we bless your name and the name of He who made you His. Until we meet again in Paradise with cherished hugs and love overflowing. Hal is survived by his wife, Vonnie, and his youngest sibling Dean (Barbara) Wilcox of Orem; his 5 children, Steven (Aletta), Brett (Kristine), Robert (Stacy), Sara (Guy) Wright, and Kristi (Jared) Barlow; 14 grandchildren, Erika, Brittany, David, Olivia, Jeremy, Tyler, Mikelann, Madison, Carver, Braxton, Shaelynn, Austin, Brock, and Callie; and 1 great-grandson, Jason. He was preceded in death by his parents, two elder brothers, Larry (Lucille) Wilcox of Roy and Melvin (Cora) Wilcox of Kennewick, WA; and two elder sisters, Eloise Wilcox of Clearfield and Cleone (Dee) Wilken of Enoch, UT. Our genuine thanks for the friendship of all who honored, loved and cared for Hal. Many thanks to Hospice For Utah, especially Dr. Gary Holland, Andrea, Debbie, and Stephanie during his time of mortal decline and passing. Funeral services will be held Monday, September 30, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the Clearfield North Stake, 151 No. 1000 W., Clearfield. Friends may visit family Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road and Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the stake center. Interment, Syracuse City Cemetery.