Wallace Willhard

WALLACE JOHN WILLHARD

1927 – 2017

Wallace “Wally” Willhard of Bountiful, Utah was born in Laramie Wyoming on July 2, 1927 and passed away December 10, 2017. Afflicted with polio at the age of 19, he was a very strong supporter of vaccinations. Possessing strong mathematical and analytical skills, he graduated from the University of Wyoming and enjoyed a career as an electrical engineer.  As a hobby, he enjoyed being a HAM radio operator (W7MVK) and even had a repeater located on Shepherd Peak, Farmington Utah named in his honor by his fellow HAM operators.

Wally had a dry sense of humor and enjoyed using a play on words with his humor – (Q. “how do you feel?” A. “with my fingers”).  He was very diligent about keeping his mind sharp by working crossword puzzles daily and reciting family birth dates, English and Greek alphabets (forward and backwards) in his head nightly before he went to sleep.

Although Wally needed his P & Q (peace & quiet) time, he relished his social time with family and friends.  He always maintained a good disposition with very few complaints. He was grateful for his blessings in life rather than focusing on the negatives. When interviewed about his polio condition and expected to paint a stark outlook of how it affected his life, he responded with pride and gratitude that he was able to walk (after 6 months of hospitalization), mow his lawn and perform other chores/tasks for over 45 years and that he was able to have a large family of 8 children.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Eleanor; his 8 children Linda, Janet (Eugene), Susan (Allen), David (Lora), Tim, Paula (Brett), Anne, Mike (Tammy) and 9 grandchildren Carolyn (Brian), Lauren, Emily, Sarah, Travis, Brian, Josh, Dillon and Sam. Preceded in death by his parents John and Henrietta, brother Raymond, and son-in-law Patrick.

The family would like to thank the employees of South Davis Home Health and Visiting Angels for their years of caring service.  And a very special thank you to neighbor Steve Knowles and family for decades of friendship, assistance, and “always being there”. We love and appreciate you far more than words can ever express.

Funeral Mass will be held at10:30 am, Thursday, December 14, 2017 at St. Olaf Catholic Church, 1800 South Orchard Dr., Bountiful, Utah, followed by a light luncheon.  Arrangements entrusted to Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary.  In memory of Wally and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Olaf Catholic Church or to Rotary International Donate to End Polio at https://www.endpolio.org/donate

W7MVK signing off 73 (Best Wishes)