Derrill was born July 9, 1927 in Salt Lake City to Ezra Foss and Mertie Malinda Hunt Richards and he passed from this earth on June 21, 2018. He graduated from East High School and the University of Utah. He served in the Navy during WW2. Derrill married Helen Margaret Sholund on June 17, 1949 in the Salt Lake Temple and they are the parents of six children: Susan Wiser (Kent), Bruce Dee Richards (Nancy), Gary Sholund Richards (Kathy), Diane Burningham (Dave), Scott Hunt Richards (Mary Ann) and Cheryl Janzen (Wayne). He was preceded in death by his wife Helen, who passed away in 1988 while they were serving a mission in Europe, a brother Merlon, two sisters, Elaine and Norine and a grandson, Bruce Richards. On August 21, 1989 he married Colleen Germer in the Salt Lake Temple. He is survived by Colleen, his six children, 21 grandchildren, 57 great grandchildren and one brother, Stanley.
Derrill started his 34 year career with IBM in 1952 as a marketing representative. During his career he managed the IBM offices in Spokane, Washington, San Diego California, and Salt Lake City. He also held key staff positions in both district and regional areas of the company. His final assignment, before he retired in 1986, was as the General Manager for IBM in Thailand, Burma and Bangladesh. He was also involved in many civic organizations in the communities where he lived.
His family and his membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have always been the most important things in his life. He kept in touch with all members of his family, who are spread across the country, by a weekly e-mail. He along with Helen and Colleen and his posterity have served over 50 church missions. There are many more to come. He has had the great blessing of officiating at the temple marriages of his married grandchildren. He served a mission as a young man in eastern Canada and served a mission with Helen in the European Area where they had the responsibility for public communications throughout all of Europe. Derrill also served as the executive secretary for the Area Presidency. He and Colleen served a three year mission in Pennsylvania where he presided over the Pennsylvania Harrisburg Mission. Other callings he held included serving as the Branch President of the Primary Children's Hospital and Branch President of a branch connected to the Utah State Prison. He has served as a bishop, counselor in two stake presidencies, several high councils and as the first District President in the country of Thailand. He worked in the Salt Lake Temple for over 20 years as an ordinance worker and sealer. He also served as a counselor in the temple presidency with Colleen, who served as an assistant to the matron. They went on to preside together as President and Matron of the Salt Lake Temple. One of his favorite callings was to teach the Gospel Doctrine class which he had the opportunity to do for over 20 years in several different wards.
A viewing will be heldFriday, June 29 from 6:00 ‚ 8:00 p.m.at the Larkin Mortuary located at260 East South Temple. Funeral services will be held at11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 30, 2018at the Ensign Stake Center located at 135 A Street in Salt Lake City. Preceding the funeral, a viewing will be held from9:30 ‚ 10:45 a.m.In lieu of flowers it is suggested that a contribution be made to the Church Perpetual Education Fund. Interment will be at the Farmington City Cemetery.
