Pioneer Resident Dies Wednesday In Hospital

W. O. Phelps, 91, Montpelier native and pioneer businessman, died at 9:30 p.m., Wednesday in the Bear Lake Memorial Hospital. He was born January 30, 1872 in Montpelier the son of Joseph and Sarah Phelps.

Services are planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, in the Montpelier LDS Second Ward Chapel.

Mr. Phelps is survived by four children, Wilmer C. Phelps, Mrs. Gilbert (Wanda) Bateman of Pocatello, R. W. Phelps of Blackfoot and Mrs. C. R. (Thelma) Rowe of Ontario, Oregon.

Published in The News-Examiner in Montpelier, Bear Lake County, Idaho, on Thursday,
September 26, 1963 on page 1


Pioneer Resident Dies At Ninety

Funeral services for William O. Phelps were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, in the Montpelier LDS Second Ward Chapel with Bishop W. D. Arnell conducting. The invocation was offered by Abraham Alleman, followed by a song, “Oh My Father”, by a quartet comprised of Mr. and Mrs. Dean Larsen, (Lannie) Phelps and Mrs. Warren Wright, speakers Bishop B. E. Mumford and Louis Eschler, vocal solo, “In The Garden”, Mrs. Waldo Andersen, benediction, Roger Jensen. Prelude and postlude music, Mrs. Royal D. Clark, prayer at Matthews Mortuary, Edward Grosjean.

Interment was in the Montpelier cemetery and the grave was dedicated by S. N. Kunz.
Pallbearers were Garth Phelps, Lloyd Phelps, Jerry Phelps, Lynn Rowe, George Bateman and Jerry Phelps, Jr.

Mr. Phelps, who observed his 90th birthday, January 29, was the son of pioneer settlers and member of the LDS Church. He was born January 29, 1872, the son of Joseph M. and Sarah Legett Phelps.

Following his father’s death in 1886 by the accidental discharge of a rifle in the front compartment of his carriage, he and his younger brother, Martin, took charge of his mother’s share of property on Bear River, long known as the Phelps ranch.

He was employed for 14 years as a salesman for the Consolidated Wagon and Machine Company. In about 1923 he was employed as a deliveryman for Charles Hess Coal Company, and in 1929 went into the fuel business for himself. He took deep pride in his fine horses, and appeared in many parades, often with a hitch of six horses.

Mr. Phelps fulfilled a mission for the LDS Church in the Northern states; served in his ward bishopric, and held executive positions in the Sunday School, YMMIA and the Ward Teaching Corps.

Mr. Phelps and Ellen Pearson were married December 17, 1901 in the LDS Temple, Logan.
She died October 29, 1955.

Surviving are four children, Wilmer C. Phelps of Montpelier, Mrs. Gilbert (Wanda) Bateman of Pocatello, R. W. Phelps of Blackfoot and Mrs. C. R. (Thelma) Rowe of Ontario, Oregon; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Areta George and Mrs. Edward (Lottie) Grosjean, both of Montpelier; two half-sisters, Mrs. Pauline Schnick of Long Beach and Mary Ann Parker of Salt Lake City; and one half-brother, J. Smith Phelps of Ogden.

Published in The News-Examiner in Montpelier, Bear Lake County, Idaho, on Thursday,
October 3, 1963 on page 1