James William Nibley

Bill was born on March 8, 1921 in Midvale, Utah to James W. and Ella Hanson Nibley. He was an excellent student and one of two in his Jordan High School graduating class to go on to college.

Bill attended the University of Utah, graduating with a mechanical engineering degree in the top 4 percent of his class. He received his degree during World War II and, after graduating, took a position outfitting warships for the Navy. Bill’s career eventually took him to cities all over the U.S., including New York City, where he met the beautiful Yvonne McMurray. Bill spotted Yvonne dancing across the room at a Manhattan Ward dance. He was smitten.

The competition for Yvonne’s hand was fierce, but Bill ultimately won out. He and Yvonne were married in the Salt Lake Temple on December 10, 1947. They began their lives and their family together in San Francisco. In 1953 they returned to Utah to start Bill’s own sales engineering company and to build a home and raise their three children in Salt Lake City’s Oak Hills.

In 1975, Yvonne died from complications of breast cancer. Bill called this time the darkest period of his life. He found happiness again when he met and married Jeanne Maw Larson. They have been married for nearly 40 years and were wonderful, loving companions.

Bill lived a beautiful, happy life and remained close to his children and grandchildren. He loved his business and having an office downtown where he had many friends. He enjoyed stimulating conversation and would generously share his wisdom and insights with others, often with a twinkle in his eye. Bill water colored, golfed, played tennis, and took classes at the U into his nineties.

Bill was an intelligent and very spiritual man. He lived by faith in our Heavenly Father and with a “quiet expectation of something good.”

Bill is survived by his wife Jeanne; children Deborah (Owen) Blair; Elizabeth Ann Clark; William Elliott (Brenda) Nibley; stepchildren Steven Craig (JoAnne) Larson, Wendell Brent (Tami) Larson; Cynthia Louise (Paul) Plack; Shelley Jeanne Larson; brother Howard Nibley; and nephew Jim Nibley. Preceded in death by his wife Yvonne and son-in-law Stewart Franklin Clark.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at noon at Monument Park 12th Ward, 2795 E. Crestview Drive. A viewing will be held Monday, March 28 from 6 - 8 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn, 3401 Highland Drive, and prior to services at the ward from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Lunch for friends and family will be served at the ward immediately following the service. Interment service will take place at 3:15 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, with entrance on 3300 South.