Deseret News Archives,
Friday, September 1, 1995
He was born October 31, 1912, in Salt Lake City to Marvin O. and Rachel Jeremy Ashton. He married Marian Reynolds in the Salt Lake Temple on April 24, 1940. She passed away on March 29, 1963. He married Belva Barlow in the Salt Lake Temple on June 26, 1964.
Wendell attended elementary schools in Salt Lake City and was graduated from LDS High School wehre he was editor of the school newspaper. He graduated from the University of Utah, magna cum laude in 1933 with a B.S. in Business. He was a member of Sigma Nu, Phi Kappa Phi, Alpha Phi Omega fraternities. He was Chairman, Naitonal Public Relations Advisory Council, Brigham Young University; member, advisory board, University of Utah Department of Journalism; member, BYU College of Business (School of Management) National Advisory Council.
Wendell was known for his unwaivering integrity and dedication to the LDS Church. His church service includes: mission to Great Britain; General Secretary, the Deseret Sunday School Union; President of the East Mill Creek Stake; member, Church Correlation Committee; member, Church Leadership Committee; Regional Representative of the Council of the Twelve; Managing Director, Church Public Communications Department; President, England London Mission; and most recently, Sealer, Salt Lake Temple.
Wendell was gifted with the written and spoken word. He was author of eight books; Editor of the "Millenial Star", London, England; author, back cover editorials, "The Instructor". Wendell touched the lives of many with his solicitious letter writing.
His business and professional service included: Reporter; Salt Lake Telegram; Vice President, Gilham Advertising Agency, Inc.; Publisher, the Deseret News. Wendell had unlimited energy and was known for his "perpetual motion."
Wendell was recognized as being a bridge-builder in the community. The success of the cause was more important to Wendell than his own personal recognition. His civic involvement included: President, Sugarhouse Chamber of Commerce; member, Executive Board, Great Salt Lake Council, Boy Scouts of America; National President, Sons of Utah Pioneers (as National President, he organized and led the SUP group reenacting the first company of Mormon Pioneers); Vice President, Utah Division of the American Cancer Society; President, Utah Symphony Board for 20 years; National Advisory Council, BYU School of Management; President, Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce; Chairman, Board of Directors, Federal Reserve Bank, Salt Lake City Branch; Board member, National Conference of Christians and Jews.
Wendell received the University of Utah Distinguished Alumni Award; an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Westminster College; the President's Award, BYU; and the "Giant in Our City" Award from the Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.
He enjoyed many long-lasting associations. He has met monthly for over 50 years with the Windsor Club, a group of missionaries he served with on his first mission to England. He has also met regularly for many years with friends in the "Ping Pong Club" and Cannon-Hinckley Club. Wendell was an avid jogger and tennis player. He enjoyed hiking Mt. Olympus and in Neff's Canyon with his children and grandchildren. He loved to indulge in ice cream.
He has been a noble husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and friend to many people.
He is survived by his wife, Belva; children, Wendy Jane Christiansen (Neil), Susan Ashton, Ellen VanOrman (J. Robert), Marged Kirkpatrick (Michael K.), Kay Reynolds Ashton (Heidi F.), all of Salt Lake City; Owen Reynolds Ashton (Rebecca H.), Minneapolis, Minnesota; 23 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; sister Eleanor A. Badger (Mrs. Howard C.), Salt Lake City.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marian; parents; sisters, Phyllis A. Gardiner (Mrs. Dan S., Jr.), Afton A. Curtis (Mrs. Louis R.); brothers, Edward (Ted) J. and Marvin J.
Funeral services will be held Monday at 10:30 a.m. at the Mt. Olympus Stake Center, 4176 So. Adonis Drive (3950 East). Friends may call at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South, Sunday, 6 to 8 p.m., and Monday 9 to 10:15 a.m. at the church, prior to the service. Burial will be at Salt Lake City Cemetery.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Utah Symphony or the LDS missionary fund.
© 1995 Deseret News Publishing Co.