Valley Pioneer Dies at Idaho Falls Hospital
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Mar 19 in the Grover Ward chapel at 1 p.m. for George William Hepworth Sr., 82, Star Valley pioneer, who died Tuesday at 4 a.m. of ailments incident to his age at the LDS Hospital in Idaho Falls. Bishop Wilford Moser of the Afton South Ward will conduct.
A semi-invalid for 28 years, Mr Hepworth's physical condition worsened about a month ago, when he was hospitalized. He had suffered 5 light strokes, and his vision became seriously impaired.
Mr Hepworth was born Sept 20, 1872 at Oxford, Idaho, a son of Edmund and Eliza Sant Hepworth. His mother died when he was three months old and he was raised by his father's other wife, Hannah Cowling Hepworth. His early youth was spent in Utah's Dixie and Bountiful, Utah. When fifteen years old, he came to Star Valley with his father's family, settling in Grover.
He married Carmera B. Thurman in 1894 in the Logan Temple. Eight children were born to this union, six of whom are still living. His first wife died in 1909 and on Jun 4, 1911 he married Annie P. Mathweson in the Logan Temple. Five children were born to this union, four of whom are still living.
Mr Hepworth and his family lived in Grover until 1947, at which time he and his wife sent to Idaho Falls where he worked in the LDS Temple until 1949. They then spent a year at Garberville, California with a daughter Mrs earl Washburn, and Mr Washburn, before moving to Afton in 1950, where they have since resided.
When he was 5 years old, George suffered a bone infection and was told he would lose his leg. He was on crutches for 7 years then finally threw them away. Years later in about 1932, he again injured his leg when he jumped from a buggy onto frozen plowed ground. This time it was necessary to amputate his right leg below the knee, making him a semi-invalid from that time on.
This did not stop him from playing baseball. He took pride in playing on Grover's baseball team and knocked many a home run with other players running bases for him. At one time, five of his sons were on Grover's baseball team.
Mr Hepworth was very active in the LDS Church. He served as a ward teacher for 43 years, fulfilled a term as stake missionary, taught in Sunday School for several years, was counselor in his elders quorum, and served as a counselor in the Grover MIA. He was a high priest.
As a civic worker, he made many contributions to his community. He helped in building such improvements as the Grover domestic waterworks system and the North Canal. He helped haul the first load of rock for the first Grover church house. He served as a trustee on the school board of District No. 19 for several years. Active in politics, he was Republican committeeman in Grover for many years.
A devout family man, his wives and children were his greatest objects of joy. He had unusual affection for his brother, the late John I. Hepworth. He was happy to be able to make several trips to the east and to California to visit his children during recent years. He was a lovable, white-haired old gentleman revered by his grandchildren and great grandchildren, who loved to be around him. The goodness of his character was strongly felt by all who came in contact with him.
He is survived by his widow and the following sons and daughters " Mrs Earl (Fern) Washburn, Garberville, Calif,; George William Hepworth Jr., Baggs Wyo.; Rulon D. Hepworth, Los Angeles, Calif., Mrs b. Delos (Lorean) Gardner; Mrs Dom (Alta) DeMoaco, Erie PA.; Mrs Erwin (Lovina) Moser, Freedom; Mrs Bernard H. (Alice) Simpson, Vandalis Ohio; Allan M. Hepworth Afton and Homer M. Hepworth, Grover.
Hepworth,
Survivors also include 32 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

George William Sr.(15 Mar 1955) (1)Star Valley Independent

George William Hepworth SR. is the son of Edmund Hepworth and Eliza SANT
George William Hepworth SR. married Annie Philena MATTHEWSON 4 Jan 1911 and Camera Besella THURMAN 1 Nov 1894 in Logan, Cache, UT. 4 Jan 1911