Wilmer Wayne Mulford

Wilmer Wayne (Bill) Mulford

SYRACUSE a€" December 9, 2009, after a long battle with a stroke, Bill slipped quietly into his Heavenly Father''s arms and returned home.

Wilmer was born to Franklin Leroy and Martha Bonnett Mulford on September 14, 1918 in Witten, South Dakota. He was one of 14 children born to this union. Surviving him are his three sisters: Geraldine Clawson, NE, Violet Whitney, NV, and Vivian DePue of NE.

Wilmer joined the Army, 3rd Infantry Division in June of 1942 and served overseas, where he was wounded and received the Oak Leaf Cluster, Silver Star and a Purple Heart. In 1945 Wilmer came to Utah guarding German prisoners and was stationed at Clearfield Naval Base where he met and fell in love with Gladys Cook. They were married on October 3, 1945. Wilmer joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1947. Later he took his sweetheart to the Salt Lake Temple where they were married on October 3, 1955. To this union two daughters were born, Shirley Murphy (James Charles) of Syracuse, UT, and LaDawna Clawson (Scott) of Kalispell, Montana. Jeffery Allen Watts (grandson) lived with them since his birth.

Wilmer and Gladys have Tina Marie Adams (Raymond) of Kansas, Leann Searcy (Kelly) of Utah, Marilyn Reeke (Ian) of Georgia, Dustin Watts (Jessica) of Utah, Jennifer Watts of Montana, and Kathleen Murphy of Utah as their loving grandchildren. Fifteen great-grandchildren complete this loving family.

Wilmer and Gladys lived in Syracuse the entire 64 years of their married life. He worked at the Naval Base after their marriage until its closing; he then went to Defense Depot of Ogden where he served as a Bay Leader and Supervisor. He later worked for Intermountain Farmers in Ogden as the manager. Wilmer and Gladys owned and farmed 20 acres in Syracuse. Their farm is part of the Silver Lakes Subdivision.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist''s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Road. Friends and family may call Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Tuesday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the mortuary.

Interment, Syracuse City Cemetery where military honors will be accorded.

His wife and family would like to thank Hospice, especially Marie Jensen, Dr. Justin Mansfield, Candice Sampson and Hailey Toyn for their kind and loving care they provided to Wilmer during his care under Hospice.