Philip Wilson Merkley

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Philip Wilson Merkley, 84, passed away at his home on Saturday, June 12, 2010.

Phil was born in Duchesne, Utah on April 17, 1926 to Wilson John and Faye Elizabeth Abbott Merkley, the second of six children.

After service in the Navy during WWII and a mission to Eastern Canada, Phil attended Brigham Young University. Here he met Elva McBride and married her on June 6, 1950 in the Salt Lake Temple. After graduation from BYU, Phil began a teaching career which spanned 33 years. He taught secondary English and History in Roosevelt, Roy, and Clearfield, Utah schools. He was also a teacher and principal at Neola Elementary. He retired from teaching in June 1985.

Phil and Elva reared five sons and a Navajo foster son: Jeffrey (Marilyn), David (Marian), Daniel (Pamela), Farley (Colleen) and Matthew (Cindy), and Sterling John. Phil is survived by his beloved wife and sons, his brother Hal (Janice), sisters Morna (Lloyd) Grant, and Donna Odekirk, sister-in-law Lorna Smith, 30 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. Phil was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Kirk and Kip.

Phil was known as a hard worker, spending several summers and many after-school hours helping build his sons'' homes. He also built three homes for himself and Elva, the last being their rock home where he split and laid the rock himself. His garden was a showpiece.

In addition to his Canadian mission, Phil served a stake mission and he and Elva filled a mission (1991-1992) to Majuro, Marshall Islands, where they taught school at Marshall Islands High as well as at the church. They served as Ogden Temple ordinance workers for nearly five years. Phil served as financial clerk, executive secretary (three times), a Bishop''s counselor twice, and in various teaching positions, among other callings. He and Elva were able to enjoy 60 happy years of marriage, celebrating that milestone only a week before his passing. He loved the Lord, his Church, his fellowmen, and his family and posterity. He will be sorely missed. His cheerful teasing and sense of humor, solid work ethic, and faithful care of his wife Elva were prized by his family and friends.

The family would like to thank the many friends who helped Elva and Phil in the last months of his life and the services of Love Hospice.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 11 a.m. at the Kayscreek Stake Center, 2860 Cherry Lane, Layton, UT. Friends may visit with the family at Lindquist''s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Rd. Wednesday evening, 6-8 p.m. and from 9:45-10:45 prior to services at the church.

Interment, Lindquist''s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 N. Fairfield Rd.