April 15, 1937 — July 18, 2016
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend William “Bill” Smith Fife returned to his Heavenly home at 6:30 p.m. on July 18, 2016, at his home in Ivins, Washington County, Utah.
Bill was born to William Stewart Fife Jr. and Lois Smith Fife in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois on April 15, 1937. He was their first son, second child in a family of nine children; two sisters (Dorothy Elayne and Miriam) and one brother (Joseph Allen) died as infants. He grew up with: Richard, Keith, Roger, Kathryn, and Bruce Fife. As his father attended medical school, they moved from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Stockton, California, Detroit and Huntington Woods, Michigan, Gridley, California, and Sacramento, California, where Bill graduated from El Camino High.
During high school Bill joined the Air National Guard. He signed up for the Navy serving his country from 1957-1961. In 1958, three Argus explosions were shot into the air from his ship. The story was leaked to “The Providence Journal” on March 19, 1959. Project Argus missiles were one of the best kept U.S. military secrets since World War II. Bill was discharged March 31, 1963, as an Aviation Electronics Technician Third Class. His superior wrote that he was, “A man of excellent moral character and ability, his loyalty and devotion to duty while in the U.S. Navy was important to those who worked with him.”
Bill served in the Southern Australia Mission from 1961-1963. At BYU he met Emma Hafen. They were married Dec. 30 1964, in the Salt Lake Temple, with his grandfather Joseph Fielding Smith officiating. Graduating from BYU in May 1968, they moved to Ivins, Utah.
Work included: U.S. Navy, farm worker, Forestry Service, Bureau of Land Management, Soil Conservation Service, Ence Brother’s Feed, Rocky Mountain Produce, Washington County School District, St. George Temple, and St. George Post Office.
A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bill served as a home teacher since the age of 14; released only due to Alzheimer’s disease. Bill was coordinator of the LDS servicemen stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas, during the Navy and Elder’s Quorum Secretary at BYU. He was the first Executive Secretary in the Ivins ward.
He served in the following positions in Ivins: Gospel Doctrine teacher, MIA teacher/counselor, Cub Scout den leader/merit badge counselor, Primary nursery, Teacher Development Leader, Sunday School President/Secretary, Elders Quorum/High Priest secretary, Assistant Ward Clerk (membership, financial), St. George Temple officiator and family history consultant. The position Bill felt was the most important was that of father and grandfather.
Loving father to four daughters and one son, he often helped care for sick children when they were younger; helping patiently when his wife Emma was ill, and giving loving support to his eldest daughter Jennifer when she suffered with leukemia. Bill always said the hardest thing he would have to face was to have one of his children die before him. He was put to the test on the December 25, 1994, when his firstborn Jennifer died. Years later while suffering from Alzheimer’s disease he still remembered and missed his beloved daughter.
Bill taught his children to drive a car, grow a garden, and get wood for winter. He encouraged his children to do their best in life; to be good students, good citizens, and enjoy life. He was pleased that his son achieved his Eagle rank and his daughters achieved their Young Womanhood Recognition Awards. He danced with them on special occasions, even though he didn’t like dancing and felt he had two “left feet.” He loved BYU football games, scouting, camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, telling jokes and stories, teasing and music. He took accordion and Karate lessons when his children were growing up.
Survived by his wife Emma and children: Mary Anna (Kevin) Henke, Ruth (Branton) Campbell. Dr. Joseph (Theresa) Fife, and Wilma (Lewis) Elison. Grandpa to 15 grandchildren: Sara Henke Burnett; Karolyn, Joshua, Hyrum, Charity, Seth, and Aaron Campbell; Jacob, Joseph, Jonathan, Elijah, Abigail, and Daniel Fife; William and Lois Elison. Great-grandchildren: Haven, Bryden, Brecken, and Kinzlee. Siblings: Dr. Richard (Adele) Fife, Keith Fife, Dr. Roger (Christa) Fife, Kathryn (Craig) Thomas, and Bruce (Leslie) Fife.
He is proceeded in death by his parents: Dr. William Stewart Fife Jr. and Lois Smith Fife, sisters Dorothy Elayne and Miriam, brother Joseph Allen, and daughter Jennifer.
Funeral Services
- Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 28, 2016, at 11 a.m. at the Ivins LDS Stake Center, located at 260 E. 1060 South, Ivins, Ut.
- Viewings will be held the day of services at the chapel from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and the night before on July 27, 2016, from 6-8 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary, St. George, Utah (435) 673-2454.
- Interment will take place in the Ivins City Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-635-2212.
For condolences, full obituary, and funeral listings please visit Spilsbury Mortuary online.