William Yates Farnsworth Jr.

On Friday, May 29, 2015, our dear father, grandfather, friend and World War II veteran, Bill Farnsworth, passed away peacefully. He was born January 4, 1926 to William Yates and Theda Woodard Farnsworth in Seattle, Washington. Bill grew up with his two sisters, Elaine and Shirley, in Redwood City, California and attended Sequoia High School, where he received varsity letters in swimming and gymnastics. Graduating early as Valedictorian, he volunteered and served courageously for the U.S. Army Air Corps in both the African and European Campaigns achieving the rank of Staff Sargent at the time of his honorable discharge.

Subsequently Bill served a full-time mission to war torn France for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and later graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and also received his Juris Doctorate Degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Bill continued to reside in Northern Virginia for most of his adult life.

Beginning his career as an Auditor for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bill later transitioned to Attorney-at-law in private practice.  He was subsequently appointed Magistrate within the Judicial System of the Commonwealth of Virginia, where he served diligently as a public servant for a decade.

Bill was known for his cheerful, high-energy and jovial personality.  He had a keen interest in politics and current events.  He was active in the LDS church throughout his life, serving in numerous callings, including several Bishoprics and other leadership positions. He also taught Sunday School, the Scouts and early morning Seminary. He was a caring, patient father and companion. He taught his children many skills, encouraged and supported their music lessons and sports activities. He loved to travel and play chess, was skilled in providing speed tours to friends and family in our nation’s capital.

In 1952 Bill married Darlene Stice of Highland, Utah in the Salt Lake Temple.  They were married for 19 years and had two children, Rebecca Lynn and William Karl Farnsworth. Years later in 1976, Bill married Sheridan Sayer in the Washington D.C. Temple. During their 35 years of marriage they served in numerous callings including a full-time LDS mission to London, England as Genealogical & Family History Missionaries in the Hyde Park Ward. Upon their return, they both accepted callings as Service Managers for the Washington D.C. LDS Bishop’s Storehouse for several years.  They were a beloved couple always willing and able to serve. In 2011 following Sheridan’s death, Bill moved to Utah to live out his sunset years closer to his children.

He is pre-deceased by his parents, Theda Woodard and William Yates Farnsworth, Sr., his wife, Sheridan Farnsworth, and sister, Shirley F. Berlin.  He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.  Left to mourn his loss are his children, Rebecca Farnsworth, Springville, UT; William Karl (Hege) Farnsworth, Draper, UT; his sister, Elaine Clegg, Spring Valley, CA., seven grandchildren:  Jenifer Kidd (Damian), American Fork, UT; Emily Lewis (Jake), Kingwood, TX; Katrina Crosby (Daniel), Huntsville, AL; Kirsten Farnsworth Kuester (Dan), Boulder, CO; William Erik Farnsworth, New York City, NY; Jonathan Karl Farnsworth, Provo, UT; and Jacob Taylor Farnsworth, Draper, UT; as well as eight great-grandchildren: Madeline, Scarlett, Jude, Jackson, Christian, Henry, Charlotte, and Liam.  He also leaves behind Sheridan’s daughters: Katie (Steve) Cooper, MO; Jody (Joe) Morrone, FL; Leis (Don) Steve, VA and their families, as well as 12 nieces and nephews from his sisters’ families (Berlins and Sanders).

Visitation at 8:30 AM with Funeral Services starting at 9:30 AM on Saturday, June 6, 2015 will be held at the Traverse Ridge LDS Meeting House located at: 272 East Traversepoint Drive, Draper, Utah 84020.  (I-15 Exit #288)

Interment with Military Honors will be at 11:00 AM same day at the Utah Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park located at: 16813 South Camp Williams Road, Bluffdale, Utah 84065.  (I-15 Exit 289)