Willard Grant Erickson

Willard Grant Erickson, age 95, died on December 2, 2021. He was born in Salt Lake City on January 31, 1926, to Henry and Elena Erickson. Willard went by his childhood nickname “Eric” for most of his life.
Eric married the love of his life, LaVon Lindley, on January 5, 1949, in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The following year, Eric and LaVon were blessed with their first son, Steve, and with three additional children in the coming years: Arlou, Kevin, and Cindy. He helped to construct his red brick home on 4500 South where he and LaVon raised their family. This house was built on his childhood family farm property, next to the home in which he was born.
In January 1944, Eric enlisted with the Army Airforce during World War II while still in high school. After basic training he became a gunnery instructor for B-29 aircraft due to his proficiency in this area.
Eric graduated from Utah State University with a degree in landscape architecture. After working for several nurseries and landscaping companies around the Salt Lake Valley, he decided to go into business for himself and formed Erickson Landscaping with his brother Vern. Other family members assisted in the business, such as his sons Steve and Kevin.
Using his talents with landscape architecture and installation, Eric designed a beautiful and ornate yard at his home, complete with a brick patio, flower beds, a garden, and even a barn.  He loved to show off his yard to neighbors, to throw family parties, and to just while away the hours. He also cherished his vegetable garden and always planted enough produce—especially tomatoes—to give to family and neighbors.
After retirement, the LDS Church called upon on Eric and his special gifts to assist with landscaping on several church properties, including Martin’s Cove, Sixth Crossing, and the church’s cattle ranch in Florida. Other things he enjoyed during his retirement years was traveling with LaVon, spending time with family, working in his yard, watching old cowboy westerns, reading books, and fishing—including an annual Alaskan trip for salmon which he did for over a decade. During this time, he formed several new hobbies, including: welding horseshoe cowboys, making “yard birds” by welding together old tools, and doing wood carvings with walking sticks and canes. He also had a deep love for animals and owned several horses; in recent years, he loved his two corgi dogs Boomer and Bella.
Eric was preceded in death by his wife, LaVon (June 2021), his son Kevin (July 1991), and 8 brothers and sisters from his father’s two marriages. He is survived by his brother Vern, and children Steve (Bonnie) Erickson, Arlou Erickson, Cindy (Dal) McEwan, 8 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren.
The viewing and funeral services will be held at the Winderbrook Chapel, 4366 S 1500 E, Millcreek, UT. The viewing will be on Monday, December 6, from 6:00-8:00, and Tuesday, December 7, from 10:00-10:45. The funeral will be on December 7 at 11:00. Interment will be at Elysian Burial Gardens.
You can watch a video commemorating Eric’s life here: https://youtu.be/03Lczi_xfb0
To view the services remotely, please click the following link https://zoom.us/j/8015661249
Service Information
Viewing December 6, 2021 at 6:00-8:00 PM
4366 South 1500 East, Millcreek, Utah 84124





Viewing December 7, 2021 at 10:00-10:45 AM
4366 South 1500 East, Millcreek, Utah 84124





Funeral Service
December 7, 2021 at 11:00 AM
4366 South 1500 East, Millcreek, Utah 84124