Bill Vern Staffanson

Bill Vern Staffanson, loving husband, father, grandfather, son and brother peacefully passed from this life on February 13, 2022.

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Bill was born on February 29, 1932 to parents Leland and Shirley Staffanson at his family home in Lompoc, California. He was the third child in a family of three boys and one girl. He grew up during the Great Depression, and his family had goats, rabbits, chickens and even a cow. His family always had a large vegetable garden, and they worked hard to make ends meet.

Bill participated in many activities in elementary, junior high and high school. He served as student body president his senior year of high school. He also participated in baseball and basketball, and played in the school marching band. Throughout his life he enjoyed playing the guitar and trombone. He also loved to sing. Fixing cars and driving them was also another favorite past-time.

After high school Bill briefly attended Santa Maria Junior College where he played sports and participated in the school dance band.

Bill worked weekends at the Johns-Mansville diatomaceous earth plant in the Lompoc hills during his first semester at the junior college. He suffered a serious accident at work when his leg was run over by a truck. In the hospital the doctors told him they might have to amputate his leg. After receiving a priesthood blessing his leg was miraculously saved.

He attended Brigham Young University the following year where he later earned a Bachelor's Degree In Sociology.

Part way through college Bill took a break to serve a mission in Sweden for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also briefly served in the United States Army.

Bill met his wife Carol Parkinson at Brigham Young University where he was working toward a Master's of Business Administration degree. The couple began dating and were later married in the Salt Lake Temple on Oct 10, 1963.

Bill and Carol had their first home in El Cerrito, California. Soon after, they moved to Hayward, California where they raised their four daughters. Bill was quite the handy man and very mechanical. He loved taking care of the house and working in the garden.

Bill worked at the San Francisco Airport as a Senior Buyer for United Airlines. He made the half hour commute across the San Francisco Bay to his job in California traffic for many years.

As a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bill served in many callings throughout his life. He found great joy in the fellowship with those he worked serving in the bishopric in Hayward and later as Bishop in the Hayward 4th Ward. Later, after Bill and Carol moved to Sandy, Utah, he and Carol worked as family history consultants in their Sandy Ward. They have had many wonderful friends and experiences there.

Bill cared for his wife for many years after she was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. The pair spent their last few years at Cedarwood Assisted Living where they received wonderful help from the staff there. Carol passed away in December of 2020.

Bill stayed active up until the last month of his life. He enjoyed visiting his family and going for car rides. He also liked taking daily walks and exercising in the workout room at Cedarwood.

We are grateful to the staffs of Cedarwood and Canyon Hospice for their kind and dedicated service to him, especially during his last few months.

Bill is survived by his four daughters and their spouses: Valerie and Mike Jamison Riverton, Utah; Christine and Shawn Varney San Antonio, Texas; Sharon and Brian Ashdown Albany, Oregon; and Teresa and Brian Zaitz Layton, Utah. He is survived by 12 grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother John Staffanson and his wife Lura of Norco, California.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, February 26th from 10:00 a.m.- 10:45 a.m. at the Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 Dimple Dell Road (10600 S.) Sandy. Following the viewing, funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Larkin Sunset Gardens Chapel. Online condolences may be offered and a link to virtual view funeral services at www.larkincares.com.