G. William "Bill" Wiersdorf's Obituary
G William “Bill” Wiersdorf passed away peacefully on March 13, 2023 with his loving wife Kathy at his side.
Bill was born Günther Willi Klaus Wiersdorf in Beyersdorf, Landsberg, Brandenburg, Prussia, Germany on December 11, 1940 to Anna Marie Hedwig Bohnenstengel Wiersdorf and Wilhelm Franz Wiersdorf.
Bill’s father was taken by Russian soldiers near the end of the war and died in a civilian labor camp in Russia. Bill and his mother were refugees after the war and moved frequently around Germany, staying with kind-hearted families for the next few years. Bill and his mother immigrated to the United States in June, 1951.
Bill learned English, and as a teenager worked for his uncle Walter Stover in his bedding and furniture factory in Salt Lake City. Bill learned to make furniture and drive trucks. Bill served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Germany and was able to reconnect with a number of lost relatives while he was there.
Bill received a degree in Spanish from the University of Utah. Bill taught Spanish and coached basketball at Olympus Junior High, and later taught Spanish and German and coached the soccer team at Olympus High School.
Bill became afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis in 1995, which accelerated his retirement from teaching. The disease gradually took away his ability to walk and along with it many of the activities he loved. He found satisfaction working on his Utah encyclopedia website (OnlineUtah.com) and spent thousands of hours producing and curating photos and written material for it.
Before his MS, Bill was known for his physical strength and endurance. With little help, Bill built a cabin and hosted youth groups and family reunions for many years. Winters meant Bill digging a quarter mile “luge run” in the snow for the kids to sled down.
After MS he was known for his spiritual stamina. While the disease made life difficult, Bill allowed his condition to refine his soul in patience. Bill followed Jesus Christ and loved to help other people in whatever capacity he could. He also loved spending time with family and particularly enjoyed his weekly video chats with his cousins in Germany.
Bill is survived by his wife Kathy Pearson Wiersdorf, his children Scott (Ana) Wiersdorf, Ryan (Liz) Wiersdorf, Jason (Erin) Wiersdorf, Rachel Wiersdorf, thirteen grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, March 19 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 3070 E Nila Way, Salt Lake City, Utah. Another viewing will be held on Monday, March 20 at 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the same location, followed by a funeral at 11:00 a.m. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the West Jordan Cemetery.
For those who were unable to attend the funeral service in person, a recording has been made available by the family here: https://youtu.be/UoFrmovqpuc
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