William Knight England was born to Chester R. and Maude England in Plain City, Utah on March 6, 1923. Bill England passed away March 28, 2018 surrounded by the ones he loved at the age of 95. He spent the last 10 years of his life without sight but maintained his extraordinary optimism until the very last. He entitled his life history book "It Is As Good As It Gets." Only days before he died he said, "Being blind has been a hindrance, but how could life be any better than this?" Although he struggled as a diabetic, he looked forward and upward, never using his disability as an excuse to avoid hard labor.
Bill was a man of the highest integrity and deepest love. He with his brother Eugene, built a transportation company starting with one truck in 1946 and ending with more than 5,000 in 2018. The spotlessly clean red trucks with the dignified England crest can be seen almost anywhere on the vast highway system of America. His employees honored him for his fairmindedness and loved him for his warmth and tenderness. He spent his life building the C.R. England Trucking Company and was always charitable with his resources.
He married Fern Hadley in the Salt Lake Temple August 20, 1943. She quickly became the Queen of England as she sustained and supported Bill's every effort. It was only after Bill's lack of sight, however, that her true colors began to shine. For more than ten years she took care of his many diabetic needs.
It is not surprising that during his last week of life he was heard to say, "I love that woman, always have, always will! She feels so good in my arms!"
Bill was an extraordinary father whose greatest achievement was his family. He spent may days basking in the love of his family at Lake Powell, on the ski slopes, and traveling the world, where he enjoyed time for deepening his joy of life which was clearly visible in the laughter of his beautiful daughters, Sandra, Debbie and Robin.
His life as a father and teacher was spent helping others to better understand the world, and he did this by placing whomever he was talking to in the kindest light. His intentions and actions were for the betterment of his children, employees, or customers in all aspects of his life and every individual conversation. He had a keen ability to relate to his listeners and communicate to their level of understanding. Such a talent led him to be a recognizable entrepreneur.
He served in many LDS Church positions, especially with the youth who he loved. His keen sense of humor and playful attitude endeared him to young adults as well as little children. He served in the Airforce during World War II in the Philippine Islands from 1943-1946 as part of the "Greatest Generation" and was always proud to be an American. He served on boards at both the Utah Trucking Association and the American Trucking Association.
Bill is survived by his wife, Fern H. England, his daughters, Sandra (Randy) Okland, Debbie (Mark) Nelson and Robin (Robert) Cannon, 16 grandchildren, and 39 great grandchildren, with three on the way.
Friends and family are invited to attend a funeral service Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at 12:00 noon at the LDS Chapel (1565 South Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, UT). Visitations will be held Monday, April 2, 2018 from 6:00-8:00 p.m at the Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary (2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City, UT) and Tuesday prior to services from 10:30-11:30 a.m at the LDS Chapel. Interment at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.
