Wendell Gillman

Wendell Walker Gillman, 95, of Orem, Utah passed away peacefully on 22 October 2014, due to heart failure. Dad was born on 02 April 1919 in Orem, Utah to James William Gillman and Estella Walker Gillman. He was the sixth of ten children. Dad attended Pleasant Grove High School. He was active in football, basketball, track, school plays, and was the Junior and Senior Class President. When he was in the eighth grade he met his life-long sweetheart, AnnaBeth Larson, who was in the seventh grade. They were married on 12 January 1946 and later sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple. They were blessed with three children, Louis Wendell, Christine, and Kevin James. In March 1941, Dad joined the National Guard and later joined the U.S. Army. He served his country for 30 years, retiring a hero as a Command Sergeant Major at Ft. Wainwright, Alaska. He was stationed at various locations throughout his military career to include, Korea, Germany, and Utah Beach. After retiring from the Army, Dad went to work at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks as the Job Analyst. After 20 years at the university he retired for a second time. Dad loved the church and serving people. He served in Bishoprics, on District and Stake High Councils. In May 1979 Dad was ordained by Elder Bruce R. McConkie as the first Patriarch in the Fairbanks Alaska Stake. This was a calling that Dad loved dearly and it enabled him to bless the lives of many individuals. Dad's greatest joy was his family. He loved attending sporting events, musical concerts, and church activities that his grandchildren and great grandchildren participated in throughout the years. Dad is survived by: The love of his life, his wife of 68 years, AnnaBeth Larson Gillman; son, Louis (Nancy) Gillman; daughter, Christine (Darrell) Murphy; 11 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; and 13 step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Kevin James Gillman; and twin-great grandsons Carter Callis and Bennett Darrell Murphy. A viewing will be held on Wednesday, 29 October 2014, from 6:00---8:00PM at the Sundberg-Olpin Funeral Home, 495 South State Street, Orem, Utah and on Thursday, 30 October 2014, from 11:45AM to 12:45PM at the Suncrest Stake Center, 90 North 600 West, Orem, Utah. Funeral services will be on Thursday, 30 October 2014, at 1:00PM at the Suncrest Stake Center. Interment will be at the Orem City Cemetery immediately following the funeral service.

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