George Wilson Heaton

EAST MILLCREEK -- George Wilson Heaton, 88, passed away unexpectedly at his home Saturday morning, December 15, 2018.

He was born July 15, 1930, in Alton, Utah, the fifth of seven children born to Lynn Hoyt Heaton and Lydia Wilson Heaton. He attended schools in Alton and Granger, Utah. He served a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Central Atlantic States Mission from 1950-51, serving in Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, from January 1953 to October 1954.

After returning home from Korea, George resided once again in the Salt Lake area. He met Mary Lynn Ferguson, and they were married on May 31, 1957 in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are grateful to be parents of nine wonderful children.

George was a hard worker who did whatever he could to provide for his family. He worked at the Purity Biscuit Company and at numerous other jobs, including roofing houses and fighting a wildfire in Glacier National Park. He was employed at the Kennecott Copper Mine for many years, eventually retiring from Kennecott.

George had a wonderful sense of humor. When younger he would pretend to spank his children and tell them to play along and pretend to cry. He loved to pull funny faces and play practical jokes. He was a tease and would pretend to trip you up by tapping your feet with his cane. He was well known for smiling mischievously, shaking his fist, and growling “Grrrr.” He would often take friends and strangers by surprise when they asked “How are you doing?” by suppressing a grin and responding “Terrible, Terrible!”
George was a valiant servant who proudly fulfilled his priesthood callings, never hesitating to do the Lord’s errand. He carried out tasks like supplying the sacrament bread, working in the meetinghouse library, attending and working at the temple regularly, and making ministering visits to his neighbors.

For many years, he and his wife Mary Lynn have also enjoyed participating in regular activities at the Mt. Olympus Senior Center, where they have many dear friends.

He especially loved spending time with family, indoors or out, at reunions, campouts and get- togethers. He also enjoyed reading western novels, watching TV, doing word-search puzzles, tossing horseshoes, and playing baseball. He was suspiciously good when playing games.

George is survived by his wife and their nine children, along with their spouses and families: Kevin (Suzanne) Heaton of Sandy, Utah; Lorna Heaton of Oregon; Arlin (Marianne) Heaton of West Jordan, Utah; Lydia (John) Wimber of Prescott Valley, Arizona; Byron (Tammy) Heaton of Joseph City, Arizona; Trudy (Gordon) Peck of Payson, Utah; Penny (Jeff) Richards of Cedar City, Utah; Marla (Rich) McMaster of Beaver, Utah; and Coral (Chaz) Gibbons of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Survivors also include 36 grandchildren and their families (21 great-grandchildren in total). The grandchildren, listed along with spouses, partners and/or children are as follows: Andrew Heaton and Cassie Vaseleou; Christopher Heaton and son Samuel; Alaric Young and children Alaya and Abram; Christel (Chris) Ward and children Hannah, Aaron, and Oceanna; Joshua (Cathy) Smyth and son George; Amber (LeeRen Flory) and daughter Jade; Desiree Johnson; Elizabeth (Jake) Maxwell; Sarah (Ajay) Rivera and children Shaelynn and Anthony; Carina (John) Carlsen; Dylan (Chaiya) Wimber and daughter Evelyn; Chelsea Wimber; Alix Wimber; Nicholas Heaton; Katrina Heaton; Keeley Heaton; Stacie (Tyson) Bailey and children Addelynn, Maddison, and Jaxton Hogan, plus stepchildren Kyle and Cole Bailey; Heather (Taylor) Quass and sons Gabriel and Lucas; Cynthia Peck and son August Virgile; Nathan (Noppasorn “Toey”) Peck; Stephanie (Bryandt) Auman; Joshua (Andrea) Peck and children Parker and Amarra; Richard Peck; Brooklyn (Kylan) Heiner and sons Remy and Sam; River (Caleb) Park; London Richards; Indiana Richards; Geneva Richards; Rachel McMaster, Lydia McMaster, Lucy McMaster; Wynn Gibbons; Eleanor Gibbons, Jack Gibbons, James Gibbons; and Felix Gibbons.

He is also survived by you. Congratulations.

George was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Crystal Gomes, and by two great- granddaughters, Lily and Emmalyn Hogan, and by a former son-in-law, Steven Young. George was also preceded in death by his parents and by three sisters, LaVaun Heaton Asay, Luana Heaton Durfee, and Amy LaRue Heaton Smith; and one brother, LeVoy Heaton. George’s passing leaves two surviving siblings, Ken Heaton and Gerry Heaton.

George was descended from many pioneers, was a grandchild of noted Utah pioneer Jonathan Heaton (1857-1930), and a member of the Sons of Utah Pioneers. He was proud of his pioneer heritage and enjoyed being able to pass on his legacy to his own descendants.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 22 at the Valley View 12th Ward Chapel, 2125 E. Evergreen Ave., East Millcreek, with a viewing at 10 a.m. A viewing will also be held Friday, Dec. 21 from 6-8 p.m. at the church. Burial to follow at Mountain View Memorial Park, 3115 East Bengal Blvd (7800 South), Cottonwood Heights. Arrangements are by McDougal Funeral Home.

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