1929
William
2022
William Mark Potter
April 11, 1929 — February 6, 2022
The fortunate son of Ora Ann Hall and William Marion Potter, passed away peacefully Feb. 6, 2022, ministered to by his loving family. Born April 11, 1929 in Latuda, UT, a small mining town near Helper. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Dale, and sister Ora Ann. He was blessed to marry the love of his life, Emma Lou Smith, whom he met in 7th grade. They became eternal companions when they married in the Salt Lake Temple on Nov. 7, 1947 by Elder Mark E. Peterson. They will continue to be best friends and companions throughout the eternities. They were blessed with four loving children: William S. (Linda Stewart), Laurie (Jay Leslie), Marc (Eric Brotherson), and Chauntelle (Matt Fjeldsted). Bill often remarked that he could not have hand-picked better companions for his children.
At the time of his birth, his father was a mine superintendent and they enjoyed a good life. His home had the first indoor plumbing in town. Though the depression was hard on everyone and mining conditions were hard and dangerous, their tiny community of immigrants from Europe fared better than most. Bill’s family even enjoyed a new car and the occasional trip. When work at the mine slowed, his family moved to Salt Lake City.
At age 13, he met Emma Lou Smith. He came up behind her, covered her eyes and kissed her. It was love at first sight and they married right out of high school.
He and Emma Lou built a home right on Millcreek at 2700 East and lived there for 75 years. He loved mountains and trees. Pine trees were his passion and he planted over a dozen around his home. He loved the sound of the waterfall in his back yard and would fall asleep with his windows open to listen to it.
Bill was one of the worlds’ great professional salespeople. He worked for Crown Zellerbach, Carnation, Coca Cola, but STP was his favorite. He met his favorite race car drivers and won several trips abroad, which he enjoyed with Lou. His affable way and tremendous humor made him equally successful as a greeter at the University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Unit, until his retirement at age 70.
He had a real love of airplanes, flags, family history, and the outdoors. His deep connection to those fighting for our country came when his father fought in WWI and his older brother fought in WWII. He was an exceptional historian of the WWII air war.
Bill loved the Tetons and visited every year for over 70 years. He and Lou loved to travel. Paris was their favorite city. He was excessively gentle and compassionate in his care of Lou during her years of brave struggle with debilitating illness. He would go down by the creek and have an “attitude adjustment” for a few minutes, giving himself a moment to accept whatever new caregiving challenge presented itself.
He loved classical music, attending the Utah Symphony some 50 times in the past 15 years. He was the funniest person, laughing and bringing laughter to others every day of his life, including on his last day. He was an amazing father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Though we deeply mourn his loss, we are comforted in the thought of his reunion with his dear wife. After five long years apart, he missed her deeply. Just before Christmas, he went to a picture of her in the living room and said, “Come and get me! But wait until after Christmas.” And so she did.
Bill is survived by brother Gary (Claire Neilson), his children, 17 grandchildren, and 36 great-grandchildren. Several years ago, Bill adopted an orphaned elephant, Naipoki. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the World Wildlife Fund.
Funeral services will be held Saturday February 12, 2022 at 10:00 with visitation one hour prior at the East Millcreek chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: 2702 E. Evergreen Ave. SLC, UT 84109. Zoom link for service: Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/7496036998?pwd=RnR3RS9KN1BkUmJQc2xjc0ZSOVJOZz09
+Meeting ID: 749 603 6998
Passcode: emc12Service Information
Viewing February 12, 2022 at 9:00-9:45 AM
2702 S. Evergreen Avenue, Holladay, Utah 84117
Funeral Service
February 12, 2022 at 10:00 AM
2702 S. Evergreen Avenue, Holladay, Utah 84117
At the time of his birth, his father was a mine superintendent and they enjoyed a good life. His home had the first indoor plumbing in town. Though the depression was hard on everyone and mining conditions were hard and dangerous, their tiny community of immigrants from Europe fared better than most. Bill’s family even enjoyed a new car and the occasional trip. When work at the mine slowed, his family moved to Salt Lake City.
At age 13, he met Emma Lou Smith. He came up behind her, covered her eyes and kissed her. It was love at first sight and they married right out of high school.
He and Emma Lou built a home right on Millcreek at 2700 East and lived there for 75 years. He loved mountains and trees. Pine trees were his passion and he planted over a dozen around his home. He loved the sound of the waterfall in his back yard and would fall asleep with his windows open to listen to it.
Bill was one of the worlds’ great professional salespeople. He worked for Crown Zellerbach, Carnation, Coca Cola, but STP was his favorite. He met his favorite race car drivers and won several trips abroad, which he enjoyed with Lou. His affable way and tremendous humor made him equally successful as a greeter at the University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Unit, until his retirement at age 70.
He had a real love of airplanes, flags, family history, and the outdoors. His deep connection to those fighting for our country came when his father fought in WWI and his older brother fought in WWII. He was an exceptional historian of the WWII air war.
Bill loved the Tetons and visited every year for over 70 years. He and Lou loved to travel. Paris was their favorite city. He was excessively gentle and compassionate in his care of Lou during her years of brave struggle with debilitating illness. He would go down by the creek and have an “attitude adjustment” for a few minutes, giving himself a moment to accept whatever new caregiving challenge presented itself.
He loved classical music, attending the Utah Symphony some 50 times in the past 15 years. He was the funniest person, laughing and bringing laughter to others every day of his life, including on his last day. He was an amazing father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Though we deeply mourn his loss, we are comforted in the thought of his reunion with his dear wife. After five long years apart, he missed her deeply. Just before Christmas, he went to a picture of her in the living room and said, “Come and get me! But wait until after Christmas.” And so she did.
Bill is survived by brother Gary (Claire Neilson), his children, 17 grandchildren, and 36 great-grandchildren. Several years ago, Bill adopted an orphaned elephant, Naipoki. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the World Wildlife Fund.
Funeral services will be held Saturday February 12, 2022 at 10:00 with visitation one hour prior at the East Millcreek chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: 2702 E. Evergreen Ave. SLC, UT 84109. Zoom link for service: Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/7496036998?pwd=RnR3RS9KN1BkUmJQc2xjc0ZSOVJOZz09
+Meeting ID: 749 603 6998
Passcode: emc12Service Information
Viewing February 12, 2022 at 9:00-9:45 AM
2702 S. Evergreen Avenue, Holladay, Utah 84117
Funeral Service
February 12, 2022 at 10:00 AM
2702 S. Evergreen Avenue, Holladay, Utah 84117
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