Stories: President William C. Tanner, Jr. Obituary
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| William Coats Tanner, Jr. ("Bill") died peacefully from cancer on September 1, 2002. Bill was born in Magna, Utah, on October 22, 1920, to William Coats and Clara Sutton Tanner. As a boy he was an active member of the Whittier Ward and student body president of South Jr. High and South High School. He received a B.S. in sociology (U of U), an M.A. in psychology (U of Minnesota), and a Ph.D. in educational psychology (U of U). Bill interrupted his college education to serve an LDS mission to the Central States Mission (1939-41) and to serve in the Army as a 1st Lieutenant, Field Artillery, in Germany during World War II (1943-46). Bill was sealed to Athelia Sears on February 14, 1942, in the Salt Lake Temple. In 1952, he moved his family to South Pasadena, California, where he worked for Educational Testing Service. In 1954 he established a private practice as a psychologist. He devoted much of his professional career to helping people through his pioneering therapies in self-image psychology. While in Southern California, Bill served as Bishop of the South Pasadena Ward as well as on the high council of the Pasadena Stake. Missionary service was among his greatest loves. He served as adviser or counselor to five full-time mission presidents in California and as ward and stake mission leader in both California and Utah. With his wife, Bill presided over the Chicago, Illinois Mission (1986-89) and served full-time missions in the Canada Halifax Mission, the Temple Square Mission, and the Toronto Temple. Throughout his life Bill was a "fearless finder," ever eager to share his faith with others. Along with his faith, Bill's greatest treasure was his family, whom he loved and who loved him. He and Athella are the parents of 13 children. All are college graduates and married in the temple, reflecting the value he placed on education and the Church: Roberta (Ray) Graham, Athelia (Ken) Woolley, Terri (Jim) Mitchell, William "Tres" (Susan Taylor), (Julie Berry Tanner), John (Susan Winder), Richard (Shawn Sanders), Mark (Ann Feeley), Claralyn (Ross) Palfreyman, Kaye (Guy) Whitworth, Daken (Carolee Twitchell), Scott (Julie McGregor), Janet (Ken) Perry, and Bryan (Renae Bake). In addition, Bill has 85 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and countless other caring relatives and friends. An exceptionally cheerful and outgoing person, Bill believed in showing "acceptance love to all people, no matter what they may have done or said." He also believed that "all accomplishments will fade into oblivion except personal righteousness." He is a delightful person who will make heaven a happier place. Friends are invited to visit with the family at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Mortuary, 3401 Highland Dr. on Friday, September 6 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, September 7, at 3:00 p.m. at the Holladay South Stake Center, 4917 Viewmont St. (off Cottonwood Lane). No viewing prior to Saturday services. Interment in Salt Lake City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Missionary Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. E-mail messages to: tannerfam.dc@juno.com.
Published in the Deseret News from 9/4/2002 - 9/5/2002. |
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