William "Bill" Buckley

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William Shields “Bill” Buckley, 75, of Taylorsville, Utah, suddenly passed away from complications of heart failure, Saturday, December 24, 2016, after enjoying his traditional Christmas Eve gathering with his family.

Bill was born July 30, 1941 in Montpelier, Idaho to J.W. and CeCelia Shields Buckley. He graduated from Cokeville High School in 1959. He served an LDS mission in Australia from 1960-1962. On June 12, 1964 he married Bonnie Lee Thornock in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Bill held a variety of church callings throughout his life including Young Men’s President, Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School President, High Council Member, as well as Ordinance Worker in the Jordan River Temple.

Bill didn’t really enjoy formal schooling but loved the outdoors and the ranching life. He spent his early summers in the mountains herding sheep and loved calling the Bear River Valley in Southwest Wyoming, home. Life revolved around farming and ranching for the first 45 years of Bill’s life with a couple of weeks off in the fall for hunting season. As the youngest of 6 children, 4 sisters and 1 brother, and later the father of 7 children, there was always plenty of work to be done. Bill’s work ethic carried him throughout his life and became an effective teaching method as he raised his family. In 1986, Bill moved with his family to Salt Lake City and re-established his life in Taylorsville, Utah, where he would spend the next 30 years with his children and wife, Bonnie, who enjoyed being close to extended family in the city.

Bill was known by friends and family members as the man who brought others together. He could talk with anyone, anytime, anywhere. Bill felt strongly that families should stay connected and set aside their differences. He spent hours on the phone checking in on those closest to him and making sure they knew they were loved. He also enjoyed reading, sharing cowboy poetry and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Bill is survived by his sweetheart, Bonnie Buckley of Taylorsville, UT; seven children, Toni (Roger) Wilkins of Taylorsville, UT, Carolyn (R. Reyn) Price of El Paso TX, Merrill (Kimberley) Buckley of Boise, ID, Amy (Scott) Richards of Wellsville, UT, Matthew (Julie) Buckley of Mt. Home, ID, Elizabeth Visser and Lamont (Alisha) Buckley of Taylorsville, UT; 31 grandchildren; three sisters, one brother; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, J.W. and CeCelia Buckley, one sister, as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, December 30 at 12:00 pm, at the LDS chapel on 1457 West, Atherton Dr. Taylorsville, Utah 84123. Burial will follow at Elysian Burial Gardens, 1075 E 4580 S, Millcreek, UT 84117.  Friends may call Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., or Friday morning at 11:00 am at the LDS chapel.