William R Masina's Obituary
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of William R. Masina, who left us on January 18, 2026, at the age of 86, to be with the Lord.
Born on September 20, 1939, in Salua, Manono, Samoa, to Venu Masina and Luafa Raeli, he was raised by his grandparents, Raeli Tofa and Silomiga Fa'atoatoa. In 1962, he became pen pals with a young woman in Leslie, Idaho, who would later become his loving wife, Julie Rothwell.
In 1963, Dad left Samoa to attend the Church College in Hawaii, now known as BYU-Hawaii, where he worked at the Polynesian Cultural Center and in the pineapple fields. In October 1965, he was drafted by the U.S. Army and sent to Fort Ord in California for basic and advanced training. Before reporting to Fort Ord, he was able to meet Julie face to face at her home in Idaho. After basic and advanced training, Dad was then sent to Fort Benning to attend jump school before being stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He took three days of leave to drive back to Idaho to marry his sweetheart, Julie, on June 10, 1966, and they returned to Tennessee after their wedding. In 1967, Dad, alongside Mom, got to talk and shake hands with U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson before he was deployed to Vietnam. Dad spent a year in Vietnam. While there, he served honorably in ground combat, earning the Combat Infantryman Badge, three Bronze Star Medals, and two Purple Hearts for wounds received in action. His decorations also included the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and several South Vietnamese unit valor awards. After debriefing and physical exams in San Francisco, California, Dad then headed to Idaho to reunite with Mom. They stayed briefly in Idaho before deciding to make Salt Lake City, Utah, their home. He worked at the Salt Lake Hardware store downtown while also working at the U.S. Air National Guard as a Staff Sergeant and other jobs, before settling in as a Bus Operator for UTA in 1986. He retired from the U.S. Air National Guard in 1999, continuing to work for UTA until 2009. He loved serving others and helping when he was able. He worked hard to support not only his wife and children, but he paved the way for many uncles and cousins to come to Utah from Samoa. Dad enjoyed his retirement, with days spent fishing, hunting, spending time with family, and watching his grandchildren's sports, eventually growing to love playing computer games and watching TV. Dad lived an amazing, fulfilling life of love, humility, and service. He will be greatly missed.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Julie (Rothwell); children: William Richard Masina Jr., J.R. Masina (Karen), James Masina (Tonja), Rowena Folau (Isi), Justeena Masina (Marvell); grandchildren: Raeli Masina (Eric), Jaslyn Stevens (Tyler), Jaeron Masina (Josie), Monique Barney (Ben), Bekah Masina, Jayda Masina, Lily Masina, Alema Masina, Ezekiel Masina-Folau, Ezra Masina-Folau, Isaac Masina-Folau; great-grandchildren: Semisi Barney, Blaine Stevens, and Rory Stevens; brothers: Venu Masina (Franzella), Ailao Mataia (Rasela), Malo Slade (Kathy), Lama Mataia (Angie); and many cousins, nieces, and nephews, who will forever cherish his memory.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Raeli and Silomiga (Fa'atoaoa) Tofa, Maliko and Aga (Faumuina) Masina; parents, Venu and Luafa Masina, Richard and Ethel (Crandall) Rothwell; siblings, Salua Masina, Saratoto Masina; granddaughter, Silomina Kazue Masina-Jewell; and many loved ones over the years.
A special thanks to Dr. Candace Dingman of AMG and the care team at Inspiration Home Health and Hospice for the care and support they provided for Dad.
Viewing: January 27, 2026, 5:30 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. at
Premier Funeral Services
67 E 8000 S
Midvale, UT 84047
A celebration of life with military honors will be held at Utah Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park Chapel located at
17111 S 1700 W
Bluffdale, UT 84065
on January 28, 2026
Viewing: 10:00 A.M. - 10:30 A.M.
Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M.
Burial: 12:00 P.M.
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