William Van Os (Grandpa Bill) lived a full and wonderful life that began on May 28, 1934, and after almost 83 years ended naturally on March 20, 2017. Bill was born and passed away in Salt Lake City.
In 1956 Bill married Mary Beth Waterlyn in the Salt Lake Temple. They had three children together: Bret Van Os, Bart Van Os and Tamra Van Os Larsen. After more than 34 years of marriage, Mary passed away in 1990. In 1991 Bill married Elizabeth JoAnn Allen and began another 25 years of marriage. JoAnn brought to this union five adult children and the beginning of a larger, active family. Bill was a wonderful husband, father, grandpa and friend to his entire family.
Bill is survived by his wife JoAnn; his children Bret (Robin) Van Os, Bart (Euphemia) Van Os, Tamra (Barry) Larsen, Randy (Jen) Allen, Shelly (Paul) Hansen, Lloyd (Gayla) Allen, Kathy (Les) Meadows, and Julie (Jonathan) Meyers. His entire family includes 45 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
Bill lived a full and wonderful life that included: ice skating as a kid at Hygeia Iceland in Sugarhouse, attending South High School, serving in the military in Europe, serving for 25 years as an active member of the Salt Lake County Search and Rescue Team and serving as an active member of the LDS Church, which included more than 20 years as a Salt Lake Temple worker.
Grandpa Bill was a master wood worker and made beautiful handmade wood items such as European pyramids, oversized play trains, and exotic wooden boxes and banks, just to name a few. His wood crafts filled the lives of his family and friends, the Festival of Trees and many more charitable fund-raising organizations. He loved working in his yard and was recognized for its immaculate award-winning appearance.
Bill was a valiant servant of our Heavenly Father. He was a true pillar of strength and wisdom. He adored all of his children, and they love him. All who knew him considered Bill their best friend.
Funeral services will be held Monday, March 27 at the LDS Church Lincoln Heights Ward located at 601 East Mansfield Avenue (3115 S) at 1:00pm. A viewing will be held on Sunday, March 26 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm and also from 11:30am to 12:30pm on Monday, March 27 at the LDS Church Lincoln Heights Ward. Interment will follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to Larkin Mortuary (260 E. South Temple SLC, UT 84111) or online at www.larkinmortuary.com.
