William Flinders

William Oscar Flinders

1934 ~ 2021

William Oscar Flinders, 86, died peacefully Saturday, January 23, 2021, with his sweetheart Karen near his side.  Bill was born August 11, 1934 in Glendale, California and is predeceased by his parents Frederick Roy and Elsie Marie Malan Flinders, his sister Elaine Marie and his brother Louis Russell (Skip) Flinders.  Bill was the third of six children.

Bill’s college degree came through a two year apprenticeship program in Carpentry from Glendale Community College, Glendale California. He also attended one semester at the LDS Church College of Hawaii.

He served a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southwest Indian Mission and learned to speak Navajo.  He and Karen later hosted three Indian foster daughters: Ester, Christina and Phyllis.

Bill was drafted into the Army and was stationed in Oahu, Hawaii for 22 months, graduating from Armor Radio Training school and helping to build housing for the Church School while there.

He married the love of his life, Karen Pease (Holton), in 1960.  They have nine children.  Martha Hunt (Marcus), Layton, Utah; John Flinders (Leslie) Simi Valley, California; Daniel Flinders (April) Manila, Utah; Rebecca Borelli (Matthew), Wheelwright, Massachusetts; Peter Flinders (Erin) Green River, Wyoming; Katherine Brown (Nathaniel) Orem, Utah; Benjamin Flinders (Kerrie) Walla Walla, Washington; Samuel Scott Flinders (Allison), Chagrin Falls, Ohio and Timothy Flinders (Sarah), Taylorsville, Utah.  They also have 32 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Four things were extra important to Bill:

Bill loved God and temple work.  If he was not getting ready to leave for work by 6:00 a.m., it was because he was already at the Temple (Tuesdays and Fridays, and more often in his retirement years).  He readily served in various positions in the Los Angeles California Temple, the London England Temple, the Nauvoo Illinois Temple and the Bountiful Utah Temple. This brought him great joy! He and Karen served missions in London England, Nauvoo Illinois, and Salt Lake City, Utah. Among other callings he loved were ward and stake mission leader, and being a counselor to four different bishops.  Bill was happiest when he was in the service of others.

Bill loved his Family.  He was completely dedicated to providing for their spiritual and physical needs.  He taught his children to work as they grew up.  And then when they were adults, he traveled to their homes throughout the US and helped them with many building projects.  He was privileged to bless and baptize some of his grandchildren. Along with raising children, he and Karen also raised chickens, rabbits and honey bees.

Bill loved his work.  One of his sons says “His work ethics were always above reproach and unequalled in any person I know.”  One contractor told a prospective employer “It doesn’t matter how much you pay Bill, he will earn every penny of it!”  One of the ladies he did carpentry work for gave him a certificate for “Lemon meringue pie upon request for life!”  Even his kindergarten teacher recognized Bill’s love for his work when she observed “Billy has obtained some excellent results in clay and woodwork.”  His joy and passion for all things good and beautiful will be missed for now, as he is temporarily departed from us.

Bill loved Scouting. His decades of dedication and participation in the Scouting program have helped numerous boys become men of integrity and honor (of course the camping and fishing didn’t hurt).  One of them said “Because of him a whole generation of young men have become Eagles.”   Bill was a registered scouter for almost 70 years and earned the Silver Beaver award.  Even when he wasn’t the Scoutmaster or assistant Scout Master he was interested in the well-being of each scout and the rank they were working on.  He loved to encourage and help young men become great men!

After 56 years of living in their beautiful Burbank home, Bill and Karen moved to Fairfield Village in Layton, Utah in 2017.  They and their family would like to publicly thank the incredible people at Fairfield Village, particularly those who work and serve in Memory Care (Parkview) who have touched our lives and become like family.

Due to Covid-19, the funeral and interment will be private family services.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 6, 2021 at 11 a.m.  Layton, Utah.

Interment, Ogden City Cemetery.

You are invited to watch the funeral service which will be live streamed at www.lindquistmortuary.com and scrolling to the bottom of William’s obituary page.

Services entrusted to Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah.

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