Vernon Grant "Vern" Wilson
VETERAN | CENTENARIAN
1921 - 2021
Early Life: Vern was born July 31, 1921, in Midway, Utah, to James Brigham and Lota Huffaker Wilson. He was educated locally and graduated from Wasatch County High School in 1939.
Life's Work | Service | Interests: He served in an exclusive radar unit in the South Pacific during World War II. On November 26, 1952, Vern married Merla Bond in the Logan Utah Temple. They had four children. He was a dedicated member and leader in the community, church, and industry-related organizations. He supported his family and worked with them as he progressively built a sheep ranching operation through dedication, hard work, sound business decisions, rangeland stewardship, expansion, and a willingness to adapt to changes. Vern took pride in enriching the land by "making two blades of grass grow where there used to be only one."
❦ Vern enjoyed working with people. He was president of the Wasatch County School Board, Utah Wool Growers Association, Utah Wool Marketing Association, and Midway Boosters Club. He was the chairman of the Wasatch County Soil Conservation Service, BLM Grazing Advisory Board, and served as a director of the National Wool Growers Association, American Sheep Producers Council, Uinta Sheep Grazers Association, and numerous other committees and advisory boards. As a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Vern served in many church positions including the MIA, Sunday School, Aaronic Priesthood advisor, ward financial clerk, counselor in the Midway Second Ward bishopric and various Provo Utah Temple assignments.
❦ Vern was known through the years for his love of dancing. Many were blessed to go for a "twirl" with him. He even provided his own tune and danced right up until his passing. He had a talent for entertaining with a fun joke, a witty story, or one of his beloved poems. Vern could make a friend everywhere he went and was loved and respected for his jovial nature and kind heart. He was known as "The Boss" by his sons and "Grandpa" by everyone else. He used to tease his granddaughters that even though they were beautiful, they would never be as good-looking as him. For most of his life, he would beat anyone willing to play a game of Rook. But he had his own "Midway Rules", so he had the advantage.
❦ It can not be emphasized enough how much he loved being a sheep rancher. Managing the herds was his great passion and he excelled at it. When he could no longer work with the animals, he dreamed about them every night. Merla Bond was the love of his life and she worked right alongside him through many tough years to make their family and business successful. He missed her very much since her passing and longed to be with her again. They are probably going for a twirl now. Vernon Grant "Vern" Wilson passed away of natural causes on July 5, 2021, at the Mervyn Sharp Bennion Central Utah Veterans Home in Payson, Utah. He was looking forward to celebrating his 100th birthday, which he missed by 26 days.
Survived By: Sons, Don (Nicole) Wilson, of Salem, UT; and Jay Wilson, of Rancho Mirage, CA; grandchildren: Sydney, Jacklyn, Courtney Marie Kinghorn (Devin), Megan Williams (Cody), Austin, Craig, Keith, Brian, and Brad; sister, Margaret Turner; and brother, Brice (Carolyn) Wilson.
Preceded In Death By: His wife of 46 years, Merla; daughter, Marie; son, Hugh; his parents; and siblings: Blanche Pryor, Belva Broadbent, Curtis, Wayne and Emer.
Services: Graveside
Arrangements: Premier Funeral Services
Interment: Midway Cemetery
Obituary: © 2021 | Premier Funeral Services
Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley
VETERAN | CENTENARIAN
1921 - 2021
Early Life: Vern was born July 31, 1921, in Midway, Utah, to James Brigham and Lota Huffaker Wilson. He was educated locally and graduated from Wasatch County High School in 1939.
Life's Work | Service | Interests: He served in an exclusive radar unit in the South Pacific during World War II. On November 26, 1952, Vern married Merla Bond in the Logan Utah Temple. They had four children. He was a dedicated member and leader in the community, church, and industry-related organizations. He supported his family and worked with them as he progressively built a sheep ranching operation through dedication, hard work, sound business decisions, rangeland stewardship, expansion, and a willingness to adapt to changes. Vern took pride in enriching the land by "making two blades of grass grow where there used to be only one."
❦ Vern enjoyed working with people. He was president of the Wasatch County School Board, Utah Wool Growers Association, Utah Wool Marketing Association, and Midway Boosters Club. He was the chairman of the Wasatch County Soil Conservation Service, BLM Grazing Advisory Board, and served as a director of the National Wool Growers Association, American Sheep Producers Council, Uinta Sheep Grazers Association, and numerous other committees and advisory boards. As a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Vern served in many church positions including the MIA, Sunday School, Aaronic Priesthood advisor, ward financial clerk, counselor in the Midway Second Ward bishopric and various Provo Utah Temple assignments.
❦ Vern was known through the years for his love of dancing. Many were blessed to go for a "twirl" with him. He even provided his own tune and danced right up until his passing. He had a talent for entertaining with a fun joke, a witty story, or one of his beloved poems. Vern could make a friend everywhere he went and was loved and respected for his jovial nature and kind heart. He was known as "The Boss" by his sons and "Grandpa" by everyone else. He used to tease his granddaughters that even though they were beautiful, they would never be as good-looking as him. For most of his life, he would beat anyone willing to play a game of Rook. But he had his own "Midway Rules", so he had the advantage.
❦ It can not be emphasized enough how much he loved being a sheep rancher. Managing the herds was his great passion and he excelled at it. When he could no longer work with the animals, he dreamed about them every night. Merla Bond was the love of his life and she worked right alongside him through many tough years to make their family and business successful. He missed her very much since her passing and longed to be with her again. They are probably going for a twirl now. Vernon Grant "Vern" Wilson passed away of natural causes on July 5, 2021, at the Mervyn Sharp Bennion Central Utah Veterans Home in Payson, Utah. He was looking forward to celebrating his 100th birthday, which he missed by 26 days.
Survived By: Sons, Don (Nicole) Wilson, of Salem, UT; and Jay Wilson, of Rancho Mirage, CA; grandchildren: Sydney, Jacklyn, Courtney Marie Kinghorn (Devin), Megan Williams (Cody), Austin, Craig, Keith, Brian, and Brad; sister, Margaret Turner; and brother, Brice (Carolyn) Wilson.
Preceded In Death By: His wife of 46 years, Merla; daughter, Marie; son, Hugh; his parents; and siblings: Blanche Pryor, Belva Broadbent, Curtis, Wayne and Emer.
Services: Graveside
Arrangements: Premier Funeral Services
Interment: Midway Cemetery
Obituary: © 2021 | Premier Funeral Services
Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley
Vernon Grant "Vern" Wilson
VETERAN | CENTENARIAN
1921 - 2021
Early Life: Vern was born July 31, 1921, in Midway, Utah, to James Brigham and Lota Huffaker Wilson. He was educated locally and graduated from Wasatch County High School in 1939.
Life's Work | Service | Interests: He served in an exclusive radar unit in the South Pacific during World War II. On November 26, 1952, Vern married Merla Bond in the Logan Utah Temple. They had four children. He was a dedicated member and leader in the community, church, and industry-related organizations. He supported his family and worked with them as he progressively built a sheep ranching operation through dedication, hard work, sound business decisions, rangeland stewardship, expansion, and a willingness to adapt to changes. Vern took pride in enriching the land by "making two blades of grass grow where there used to be only one."
❦ Vern enjoyed working with people. He was president of the Wasatch County School Board, Utah Wool Growers Association, Utah Wool Marketing Association, and Midway Boosters Club. He was the chairman of the Wasatch County Soil Conservation Service, BLM Grazing Advisory Board, and served as a director of the National Wool Growers Association, American Sheep Producers Council, Uinta Sheep Grazers Association, and numerous other committees and advisory boards. As a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Vern served in many church positions including the MIA, Sunday School, Aaronic Priesthood advisor, ward financial clerk, counselor in the Midway Second Ward bishopric and various Provo Utah Temple assignments.
❦ Vern was known through the years for his love of dancing. Many were blessed to go for a "twirl" with him. He even provided his own tune and danced right up until his passing. He had a talent for entertaining with a fun joke, a witty story, or one of his beloved poems. Vern could make a friend everywhere he went and was loved and respected for his jovial nature and kind heart. He was known as "The Boss" by his sons and "Grandpa" by everyone else. He used to tease his granddaughters that even though they were beautiful, they would never be as good-looking as him. For most of his life, he would beat anyone willing to play a game of Rook. But he had his own "Midway Rules", so he had the advantage.
❦ It can not be emphasized enough how much he loved being a sheep rancher. Managing the herds was his great passion and he excelled at it. When he could no longer work with the animals, he dreamed about them every night. Merla Bond was the love of his life and she worked right alongside him through many tough years to make their family and business successful. He missed her very much since her passing and longed to be with her again. They are probably going for a twirl now. Vernon Grant "Vern" Wilson passed away of natural causes on July 5, 2021, at the Mervyn Sharp Bennion Central Utah Veterans Home in Payson, Utah. He was looking forward to celebrating his 100th birthday, which he missed by 26 days.
Survived By: Sons, Don (Nicole) Wilson, of Salem, UT; and Jay Wilson, of Rancho Mirage, CA; grandchildren: Sydney, Jacklyn, Courtney Marie Kinghorn (Devin), Megan Williams (Cody), Austin, Craig, Keith, Brian, and Brad; sister, Margaret Turner; and brother, Brice (Carolyn) Wilson.
Preceded In Death By: His wife of 46 years, Merla; daughter, Marie; son, Hugh; his parents; and siblings: Blanche Pryor, Belva Broadbent, Curtis, Wayne and Emer.
Services: Graveside
Arrangements: Premier Funeral Services
Interment: Midway Cemetery
Obituary: © 2021 | Premier Funeral Services
Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley
VETERAN | CENTENARIAN
1921 - 2021
Early Life: Vern was born July 31, 1921, in Midway, Utah, to James Brigham and Lota Huffaker Wilson. He was educated locally and graduated from Wasatch County High School in 1939.
Life's Work | Service | Interests: He served in an exclusive radar unit in the South Pacific during World War II. On November 26, 1952, Vern married Merla Bond in the Logan Utah Temple. They had four children. He was a dedicated member and leader in the community, church, and industry-related organizations. He supported his family and worked with them as he progressively built a sheep ranching operation through dedication, hard work, sound business decisions, rangeland stewardship, expansion, and a willingness to adapt to changes. Vern took pride in enriching the land by "making two blades of grass grow where there used to be only one."
❦ Vern enjoyed working with people. He was president of the Wasatch County School Board, Utah Wool Growers Association, Utah Wool Marketing Association, and Midway Boosters Club. He was the chairman of the Wasatch County Soil Conservation Service, BLM Grazing Advisory Board, and served as a director of the National Wool Growers Association, American Sheep Producers Council, Uinta Sheep Grazers Association, and numerous other committees and advisory boards. As a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Vern served in many church positions including the MIA, Sunday School, Aaronic Priesthood advisor, ward financial clerk, counselor in the Midway Second Ward bishopric and various Provo Utah Temple assignments.
❦ Vern was known through the years for his love of dancing. Many were blessed to go for a "twirl" with him. He even provided his own tune and danced right up until his passing. He had a talent for entertaining with a fun joke, a witty story, or one of his beloved poems. Vern could make a friend everywhere he went and was loved and respected for his jovial nature and kind heart. He was known as "The Boss" by his sons and "Grandpa" by everyone else. He used to tease his granddaughters that even though they were beautiful, they would never be as good-looking as him. For most of his life, he would beat anyone willing to play a game of Rook. But he had his own "Midway Rules", so he had the advantage.
❦ It can not be emphasized enough how much he loved being a sheep rancher. Managing the herds was his great passion and he excelled at it. When he could no longer work with the animals, he dreamed about them every night. Merla Bond was the love of his life and she worked right alongside him through many tough years to make their family and business successful. He missed her very much since her passing and longed to be with her again. They are probably going for a twirl now. Vernon Grant "Vern" Wilson passed away of natural causes on July 5, 2021, at the Mervyn Sharp Bennion Central Utah Veterans Home in Payson, Utah. He was looking forward to celebrating his 100th birthday, which he missed by 26 days.
Survived By: Sons, Don (Nicole) Wilson, of Salem, UT; and Jay Wilson, of Rancho Mirage, CA; grandchildren: Sydney, Jacklyn, Courtney Marie Kinghorn (Devin), Megan Williams (Cody), Austin, Craig, Keith, Brian, and Brad; sister, Margaret Turner; and brother, Brice (Carolyn) Wilson.
Preceded In Death By: His wife of 46 years, Merla; daughter, Marie; son, Hugh; his parents; and siblings: Blanche Pryor, Belva Broadbent, Curtis, Wayne and Emer.
Services: Graveside
Arrangements: Premier Funeral Services
Interment: Midway Cemetery
Obituary: © 2021 | Premier Funeral Services
Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley
Inscription
VET WWII SOUTH PACIFIC
MARRIED NOV. 26, 1952
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
