Our loving son, husband, father, brother, uncle and friend, William "Chip" R. Hess, was called home after a courageous battle with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) on January 15, 2006. Chip was born on April 6, 1963, to William R. and Fern Raney Hess. Chip graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1981, went on to Dixie Jr. College and then to the University of Utah where he earned his B.S. in Economics. He was the General Manager for the Utah offices of Northwest Door, USA. Chip was crazy in love with Beatrice Betton and married her on August 24, 1991; later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple for time and all eternity. He considered the greatest role in his life to be a husband and father. He was personally involved with each of his children in all of their many activities, always playing the role of coach or spectator. Just being in the room with Tyler, Ryan, Mitch, Lexi and Megan brought a smile to his face and a twinkle to his eyes. Chip loved spending time with family above all else and embodied the theme "Families are Forever". Chip was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and loved working in the Young Men's Program. There is not a young person around who doesn't affectionately refer to him as a friend or coach. Chip loved all sports particularly anything his children were doing. He was a great athlete and played baseball, football and softball. He was a huge Utes fan. He had a great knowledge of sport teams, players and statistics. Chip also had a deep appreciation for nature, specifically flowers and trees, and loved the feeling of the sun on his face. Chip had a contagious laugh, a mischievous smile, an amazing sense of humor and an extraordinarily quick wit. Chip was considered a gentleman by all, and anyone lucky enough to have known him became a friend for life. Chip recently said he wanted to be as brave as his father. We all know that Chip met life with all its ups and downs with courage and bravery. Chip is now reunited with his sister, Laurie Hess, and an infant brother, David Anthony Kent. He leaves behind his parents, his loving wife, Beatrice, and his five beautiful children, Tyler (19), serving an LDS mission in the Montevideo, Uruguay mission, Ryan (13), Mitchell (11), Alexis (8) and Megan (5); a brother, Rick (Anne) Hess; three sisters, Rebecca (Harold) Boyack, Jodi (Butch) Ellsworth and his twin, Julie (Dan) Thomson; and family and friends too numerous to count. The family wishes to acknowledge the love and support of family, friends, neighbors, the Aspen Hills Ward and colleagues of Northwest Door. Words cannot express the gratitude felt by our family for all of the generosity and support given to us these past 21 months. Please pray for a cure for this disease that took Chip but never his spirit. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Jan. 19th, at 12 noon at the Sandy Granite South Stake Center, 2126 East Gyrfalcon Drive (10000 South). A viewing will be held on Wednesday evening, Jan. 18th from 6 - 8 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Garden Mortuary, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, as well as one hour prior to services Thursday at the church. Dad, we love you. My Chip, until we meet again. Families Are Forever

Published 17 January 2006 in The Salt Lake Tribune (UT)