The Payson Chronicle Newspaper
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Monday, August 29, 2022
Wednesday, August 24, 2022
Monday, August 22, 2022
Photographs And Memories Of The Pace And Willey Home On Cow Lane
PHOTO: Glen, Alice, Hannah, and Alma Willey (pictured left-right), circa 1929.
Michael Robertson was fourteen years old in the summer of 1968 and pining to put his hands to the plough. Payson educator, civic worker, and builder Stanley Wilson had the projects in town to assist. But adolescence has its limitations.
“I needed something to do,” Mr Robertson remarked in January 2022 as he gazed upon his time and roots in Payson. “I wasn’t yet 16 and could not get a real job and there wasn’t enough work with Stanley Wilson to keep me busy. So I came up with the idea to tear down the old Willey home at 6th East 4th North.”
The brick home, with its south-facing front porch set back from gated shrubbery, held ancestral significance to Michael, as well as Payson City. Its original occupant was James Pace, after whom the central Utah town was named.
Since the 19th century, Fourth North Street has been known by locals as Cow Lane. The road officially adopted the moniker in 1997 upon the urging of Payson preservationists.
“400 North is a historical Street,” reads a marker the local historical society and Payson City had made in the mid 1990s to formalize the change. “It was the route used by pioneers entering the valley Oct. 20, 1850. James Pace was the captain whom the city of Payson was named for. The street was given the name of ‘Cow Lane’ by early settlers as it was the street cows used traveling to pastures on the east and west of town. In 1888 it became the street herds of cattle and sheep used to get to the summer and winter ranges. It was used by herds over 100 years. It is still known by local residents as ‘Cow Lane’ today.”
By the early-to-mid-20th Century, the Willey family would come to reside in the notable brick home on Cow Lane. Michael Robertson’s mom, the late Alice Willey Robertson, was raised there with her brothers Glen and Alma and their parents, Joseph Angus and Hannah Jones Willey.
“I visited it as a young child,” said Mr Robertson. But by the summer of 1968, “Grandpa and Grandma Willey had moved out of it several years earlier. It was now vacant, run down and in the middle of the pasture with cows walking through it.”
Repurposing was in vogue in late-60s America. “At this time it was popular to build new homes with old brick. So I got permission to dismantle the home, harvesting the brick and the wood. I cleaned up all of the bricks and stacked them in several piles the size of pallets. I took out all of the nails from the boards and stacked them according to size. It took me several months. Each day I would ride my bike the six blocks to the old house and work there for the day. I packed my own lunch.”
The work gave him personal satisfaction and money to fill his pockets.
“I enjoyed the project, working at my own pace and being my own boss. After the project was complete, I found a buyer, or a buyer found me, and paid me 5 cents per brick. I don’t remember how many bricks I sold, but I do remember that it was a sizable amount of money for me and that I felt greatly rewarded for my efforts.
“Now all I have are photos and memories and the satisfaction of a job well done.”
PHOTO: The former Pace and Willey home, located near 6th East and 4th North (Cow Lane), Payson. “James Pace, the founder of Payson, once owned this old house,” noted Michael Robertson, a Willey family descendant whose careful work dismantling the home in 1968 led to its materials fulfilling uses in buildings elsewhere. “At one time it had beautiful walnut trees and hedges of yellow rose bushes. It had a swing in the walnut tree that I used to swing on.”
PHOTO: James Pace (1811-1888)
Friday, August 19, 2022
Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Service
"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose.
All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”
~ Helen Keller
Jana Whitby Spencer
Born to George and June Whitby on August 17, 1953. Our sweet Mother, Grandmother, Wife, Sister, Aunt passed peacefully at home one day before her birthday.
Jana was just plain tough. She worked many jobs in construction across the country throughout her life and really enjoyed her work as a bail bondsman.
She was well known for growing and displaying dahlias and roses; she won many awards and collected dozens of crystal vases through the years.
Jana married Mark Spencer December 29, 1995. She is survived by her sons: Nathan (Stacy) Moncrief of Richmond, California, Victor (Jessica) Spencer of Salt Lake City, Utah, and William Whitby of Payson, Utah; sisters, Marsha (John), Sheri, and Jody. Jana is truly loved and will be missed by many lifelong friends.
The family sends special thanks to hospice nurses Angie and Charity.
A graveside service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 27, 2022, at Payson City Cemetery, 400 North 800 East, Payson, Utah. Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah.
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Service
"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose.
All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”
~ Helen Keller
John Boyd Deuel
John Boyd Deuel was born to Carrol “HOOT” and Beth Rasmussen Deuel on May 16th 1942 in Payson Utah. He lived and raised hell in Santaquin for 80 years.
John married the love of his life, Jeneil Badham, on January 21, 1961. Jeneil was very patient and tolerant as they raised 2 boys in Santaquin. He enjoyed a successful career as an expert welder for Keigley Quarry.
He was blessed with 8 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, that he adored. John’s passions were stock car racing, boats and motorcycles. But his family was his top priority. He loved his grandchildren and spoiled them rotten, John definitely lived life to the fullest.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, 2 sons, Guyle (Sallie), Shannon (Alyson), 8 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents and 4 siblings, Richard, Marsha, Bryan and Brent.
Graveside services will be held Saturday August 20, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Santaquin Cemetery. Share condolences at www.brownfamilymortuary.com
Saturday, August 13, 2022
Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Service
"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose.
All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”
~ Helen Keller
Val Douglas Holt
Doug grew up on a fruit farm and learned the value of hard work at an early age. His family would transport the fruit they harvested and sell it along the way, ending in Star Valley, Wyoming. He graduated in 1949 from Lincoln High School. Doug joined the Navy around 1950, was stationed on the ship LST857, and served in the Korean War. He was very proud of his country and his heritage. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, Doug married Sally and began working as an auto mechanic. He then worked for Bradshaw Auto Parts and drove truck to earn money to begin his own auto parts business, Doug’s Auto Supply. Doug and Sally eventually owned three auto parts stores in Utah County. They worked side by side for 33 years. Doug made many friends and acquaintances during his time while running his businesses, of which he has always cherished. He served as a councilman for Payson City and was a volunteer fireman from 1973 to 2004, serving the citizens of Payson for 31 years. Doug served in many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but his calling of Bishop brought him many great blessings and friendships. Doug was an accomplished pilot, owning his own Cessna 182 for a time. He loved to fly and loved taking scouts and others up in the sky with him often.
Doug loved his family very much. He loved to take the kids on his “buggy” with him. He taught his family how to fix anything. He loved animals and could tame the wildest of cats. Doug was a friend to all and influenced many people for the better. They did the same for him.
He is survived by his children, Kib (Lori), Craig (Jill), Kirk (Holly), Cindy, Nicole, 22 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Delight Penrod and Yvonne Brockbank, brother Cyrus “Jack” Holt, and two grandchildren, Joni and Kyson Holt.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 274 South Main Street, Payson, Utah. Visitation will be prior from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church. There will also be visitation on Monday, August 15, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah. Military honors and internment will be in Payson City Cemetery, 400 North 800 East, Payson, Utah.
Arrangements are entrusted to Walker Funeral Home. Condolences may be offered at www.WalkerMemorials.com.
Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Service
"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose.
All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”
~ Helen Keller
Sterling Hill
sterling: (adj.) of highest quality, outstanding integrity.
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Sterling Cornaby Hill, born Jan. 16, 1944 in Payson UT to LeRoy and Eva Cornaby Hill arrived Home August 10, 2022, hastened there by myelodysplastic syndrome.
His name defined him through and through. Sterling’s “David O. McKay hair,” example of quiet commitment to the Lord, unconditional love, honesty, and leadership through being innately good was what people remember about him. He also had an easy smile that invited you in, relishing making connections with people. Once that happened, you were always his friend. He sincerely cared for others, and they always knew it.
While in high school, Sterling was chosen to represent his beloved Payson in
Leadership Academy, staying in the home of Elder Richard L. Evans. He graduated
from Payson High School as salutatorian in 1962. Serving in the New Zealand
Auckland Mission left a lifelong heartprint on him, loving the land and its people. He
returned there many years later, reconnecting with people he’d met.
Sterling met Judy Christiansen in high school, playing piano and organ duets with her in their early years, and married her in the Manti Temple in 1967, dating her for 61 years, 55 of those being married. They have been a united team, best friends.
Attending both BYU and the U, he graduated from BYU with a BS. IBM in San Jose, CA hired him to work as a manufacturing engineer immediately after Computers weren’t even taught in colleges then, but Sterling was soon asked to become a programmer, which he dearly loved! Teaming with his ability to work with people, he worked most of his years as a well-respected manager there, retiring from the industry in 2008.
His deepest interest was his family, which grew to include daughter Christy and son
David. He was their biggest cheerleader, whether it was in sports, school, dancing,
fixing cars, taking bike rides, listening to their joy or woes with real intent. He was
always there for them. There were also “unofficial” children who lived with the family, whether they needed help, a place to work out problems, or somewhere to stay.
Missionaries lived with them for about 6 years, and those relationships are still
treasured.
He also enjoyed singing, his tenor voice blending in many choirs, choruses, and his
favorite of all, barbershop quartets. Their children were lulled to sleep many a night to the strains of “I Want a Girl” and “Side by Side” as the quartet would practice at home.
He was known to show up at Judy’s school classes for Valentine’s or her birthday, his quartet singing to her in front of her students. Teenagers would join them to sing around their player piano. He also enjoyed biking, and the family joined a group who biked (10-speed) from San Jose to Disneyland along Highway 1, as well as from Aberdeen, WA to Vancouver, Canada. Refinishing furniture, restoring pump organs, and travel were also his loves. Whether it be to the Grand Canyon, New England, or to Israel (where he sang in a chorale), Finland, Great Britain, Italy, Spain, or Nauvoo, he loved seeing new places and took joy in meeting new people. It was not uncommon for him to “run into” someone who had a connection no matter where he went.
Because of his love of music, Sterling was often called to be a chorister or choir
director. Between bringing joy through music and his affable personality, many enjoyed the experiences he brought. He also served in countless Church leadership positions, with his time as Bishop, Executive Director of a Remote Girl’s Camp for 7 stakes, Temple Worker, Sealer, Assistant Recorder, and 1 st Counselor in the Oakland Temple Presidency for 3.3 years, and as a service missionary in both the Family History and California Living History Mission being his most memorable. Sterling deeply loved the temple and a great connection to the Lord all his life, and his deepest thrill was being able to perform the sealings for 2 of his grandchildren.
Family members who remain on Earth are his wife Judy, children Christy and David
(Mary Ann), grandchildren Joshua, Jaron, Adrienne, Jordan, Kaitlyn, Owen, and Evelyn; siblings Gerald (Margie) and Joyce (Tim). Welcoming him when he arrived Home were his parents.
Funeral services will be conducted by Utah Valley Mortuary, with a viewing Friday,
August 19 at 700 West 2600 North, Lehi from 6-8 pm, as well as Saturday, August 20 from 9:00-10:15 a.m. in the same location Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m.
Interment Lehi City Cemetery. To view services via livestream, please visit
utahvalleyfuneral.com under Sterling’s obituary.
Special thanks to the staff at American Fork Hospital and Pointe Meadow Rehab for their kind care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you dedicate time and care to family history or temple service in his memory. That would make him smile!
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