Gladys was born in Antimony, Utah to Deward Steen Gleave and Alvirda May Warner on April 27, 1933. The eldest of two daughters, Gladys spent her time on the family ranch taking care of their many animals. When she was a young girl, her parents divorced and she shared her time between Salt Lake City, where her mother relocated, and her father’s home in Richfield. She attended both Richfield High School and West High School where she graduated in 1952. She met the love of her life while riding a bus in downtown Salt Lake City. John J. Wilson saw her and chased the bus to the next stop to meet her. They were married September 12, 1952 and later sealed in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple.
Gladys worked professionally at Equitable Life Insurance and had a long tenure at Weight Watchers as a regional trainer. Gladys and John made their home in Magna where she held many church callings, participated in PTA volunteer work and community leadership roles. She enjoyed baking for her family and was an avid gardener, her yard was always immaculate. She enjoyed traveling and spent six weeks in Europe with her sister, Dixie Ann. She was drawn to southern Utah by the beauty and, with her husband, purchased a home in Hurricane in the early ‘90s where they spent their winters; after John’s passing, she made it her permanent home. She enjoyed the outdoors and went on many adventures with her husband, friends, and family. She had an affinity for Native American art, and she could often be found riding horses or having tea parties with her grandchildren.
She is survived by her five children J. Clyde of Green River, Wyo., Deward (Linda) of Hurricane, Dixie Yeates of Magna, Chad (Cindy) of West Valley, and Maridawn (Chris) Wadsworth of West Jordan; stepbrothers Dale and Terry Gleave; 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; best friend Gale Rocco. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister Dixie Chaston, stepbrother Kurt Gleave, daughter-in-law Jeanette Wilson, grandson Sonny Clyde Wilson and great-granddaughter Norah Scarlett Haynes.
The family would like to thank the staff and administration at Anthology Senior Living, and Natalie and Tynesia at Bristol Hospice.
A viewing for Gladys will be held Sunday, December 12, 2021 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Valley View Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City, Utah 84120. A viewing prior to service will occur Monday, December 13, 2021 from 9:45 AM to 10:45 AM, 4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City, Utah 84120. A funeral service will occur Monday, December 13, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City, Utah 84120.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ValleyViewFuneral.com for the Wilson family.
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