William “Bill” Luce

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FERRON/ATHENS,TEXAS – William Daniel Luce, age 88, passed on March 20, 2012. Bill was born Sept. 22, 1923 to John W. and Mabel Jean Buehrle Luce in North Hollywood, Calif. He married Betty Jane Birkett, June 10 1943 in Seattle, Wash. The marriage was later solemnized in the Manti Temple on Feb, 14 1986.
Bill Luce “Grandpa” graduated from North Hollywood High School and continued his schooling at Antelope Valley Junior College. He later graduated from the Police Academy in Nevada and attended numerous training courses during his career as a police officer.
Service marked his life from the beginning. During WWII he enlisted with the US Coast Guard serving from 1942-1945. He worked for Douglas Aircraft before moving to Las Vegas with his family in 1960. Once in Las Vegas, he joined the Metro Police Department and eventually was promoted to sergeant. In the later part of his career he developed the first automated records system for the department and retired in 1981.
Bill moved to Ferron, Utah in 1983 where he continued to serve his community and church. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he was involved in family history research and volunteering at the Manti Temple for seven years. He donated property to Ferron City to help improve the cemetery and served on the Board of Director’s for the Desertview Federal Credit Union as well as the Emery County Library Board.
Although he loved working in his yard, perhaps his greatest love was his dear wife Betty. In the early years they spent hours dancing and loved to go on trips with friends. They relished working at the Temple together and visiting family. He was always the loving, patient husband and caregiver and while he very much enjoyed his time with his children and grandchildren, he has once again joined Betty in their celestial journey.
He is survived by his brothers, John (Pat) Luce of Hulbert, Okla., Roger A. Luce of Valentia, Calif.; children, Sharon M.. Owens of Ferron, Michele (Will) Hanson of Athens,Texas, Steven Daniel Luce of Ferron, Mark ( Jami ) Luce of Ferron, 16 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren.
He is preceeded in death by his parents, his wife of 65 years, Betty Jane; his son-in-law, David F. Owens; grandson, SSgt. Charles E Owens; two sisters and one brother.
Funeral service, Tuesday, April 3, 2012, 11 a.m., at the Blue Hills LDS Ward (35 West 200 North) in Ferron. A viewing will be held Tuesday morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church in Ferron. Interment, Ferron City Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price where friends are welcome daily and may share memories of Bill online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.