Public Viewing
260 E South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111Friday Sep 12, 2025: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
1949 ~ 2025
Friday Sep 12, 2025: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Peter William Madsen, always known as Bill, left this Earth and returned to his heavenly parents on the early morning of September 9, 2025. He was surrounded by his family as he passed after a long battle with kidney disease and its complications.
Bill was born August 3, 1949, in Salt Lake City, Utah to loving parents, Francis and Elen Louise Madsen. He spent his childhood in the Federal Heights area and graduated from East High School. Upon admission to the University of Utah he became a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity while studying business. He graduated from the business college with a degree in Marketing.
Bill was an employee of Madsen Furniture since he was twelve years old. He worked in delivery, installation, and retail in the Salt Lake, Ogden, and Holladay stores. Eventually, he became the head of the family business. After careful consideration, Bill and his siblings closed the final Holladay store in 2000.
Now retired, Bill dedicated his life to family and service. Bill married Nancee Cropper Madsen, the love of his life, on August 20, 1985. They just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. Together they had four children. He was a wonderful husband and father, and an active participant of each of his children’s lives.
He loved to take his family to Disneyland each year, although he may have said differently to others. He also was an avid golfer and loved to travel the world to play golf with his friends. He was a lifetime collector of canes, red shoes, and Utah art.
He was an active member of the University of Utah’s Business board for twenty-three years. He was a member of the Utah Furniture Board, Salt Lake City Rotary Club, University of Utah Alumni Board, Crimson Club Board, and Utah’s Make-A-Wish Foundation Board. He spent three years as the President of Salt Lake and County Sheriff’s Department Honorary Colonels. He spent several years volunteering at the Hope Clinic.
He also had a lifetime of service with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bill was known for his generosity, kindness, acts of service, sense of humor, and empathy. He will be deeply missed by his family and all those who knew him.
Peter William Madsen is survived by his wife, Nancee Cropper Madsen; his daughter Jessica Anne Madsen (child Roman), his daughter Elise Louise Madsen Butler (husband Chad Butler; children Graham, Benjamin, and Minnie Louise), Emilee Deon Madsen, Peter William Madsen II (wife Rachel Witt), and his sister Mary Louise Madsen Rawlings (Ben deceased). Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Louise, his brothers Francis Armstrong Madsen (Connie), Robert Ashley Madsen (Caroline deceased), and Richard Harper Madsen (Doralee).
Bill will be honored at a funeral service at the Cottonwood 13th Ward: 1830 E 6400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84121 on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 11:00 AM. Viewings will be held Friday, September 12, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Larkin Mortuary—Downtown: 260 E South Temple St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 and a family viewing hour prior to the funeral service at the Ward Building. Interment will be in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
If sending flowers, please consider red roses.
Nancee and daughters,
I am so sorry for your loss, I cannot imagine your sorrow. May God send his comforter and our sealing ordinances give you a true piece of mind knowing we will all be together soon. You married a great one and he will be missed.
For time and all eternity! ❤️
So sorry for your loss. May the Lord comfort and bless you Nancee and your family
Although I had only met Bill a couple of times I believed him to be a man of honor. I am truly sorry for your loss. May the good let’s wrap his loving arms around you and your family.
God Bless you
Love always and forever
Ron Cropper and family
The last time I was talking with Bill about living as long as we canso sad Bill passed away I hope He accomplished all He wanted to!! Nancy you can be blessed with this
Big change!!! Madson family be comforted!! that you will see. Bill again my love Linda and Grant
Dear Nancee and Children,
I am writing in behalf of the Cameron family. Our mother, Rose Wallace, was Louise Madsen's sister. My brothers and sister are out-of-town and my wife, Christine and I, live in Provo. We just learned of Bill's passing from the article in the Deseret News. We would so like to have been at the funeral to express our love and condolences at Bill's passing. My wife, Chris Cannon Cameron, was a classmate of Bill's at East High School. She wanted you to know how kind Bill was to her and what a dear friend he was in their youth. Our younger brother, William Wallace Cameron, was born the same month as Bill but drowned in 1953. Being three years older, I watched Billy through the years and always thought that he and his cousin, who we called, Corky, would have gone to school together through the years. We enjoyed growing up with your Bill, and although our paths did not cross as frequently as we would have hoped, we admired him and his accomplishments. We hope you will accept our love and sympathy at this tender time. Scott and Christine Cameron and my siblings: Brent and Susan Cameron, Daryl and Steve Barrett; and Todd and Jennie Cameron.
I’m saddened to read of Bill’s passing. Bill was a Sigma Chi fraternity brother. Always affable and always fun to know. Anyone who knew Bill, will always remember him as someone of great integrity and having a really good sense of humor. I’m sorry we’ve lost touch over the years, but I have fond memories of knowing him and always enjoyed his friendship. Condolences to his family and other friends. RIP brother.
Nancee: I was saddened to read of the passing of my old jr. high and East HS pal. I sincerely wish I could have attended the funeral. Those of us of EHS the Class of '67 loved Bill, and the photo you chose reminded me of how strikingly handsome he was! I have so many fond memories of our formative years. I extend my best wishes and condolences to you and the family. Bill was very special!
I knew Bill as a youth growing up in the Federal Heights neighborhood near the U of U. I want to say a little something about knowing Bill back then. Ours was a neighborhood full of outstanding athletes but Bill was the best of us and so he would be always be one of the captains choosing up sides in the countless pick up ball games of football or baseball at Reservoir Park. In that role Bill would do something that I never got over; instead of picking the next best player in the pack, he would pick the youngest and dweebiest (usually me, two years his junior). Soon the other captains would catch on and follow suit. So you see, they’d end up with the same teams anyway but we youngsters felt much more valued and included. And of course two years later, we’re the big kids and we’re picking the little kids in now a tradition that we carried on which made that neighborhood one without cliques or bullying or pecking orders. Bill and his best friend John Armstrong, also gone too soon, were always the coolest guys in the ‘hood not by acting cool but by being friendly and always sharing with their charm and considerable talents with all the brats at church or Scouts or school.
It is said that the child is the father of the man and as I read about Bill’s life and his incredible list of accomplishment and service, it comes as no surprise because all that was in him as a youth. He was a leader then too, and always gracious with his gifts. It was a privilege to know him and call him friend.
To his family and friends I just want to say that there are many of us that you likely do not know who grew up with Bill that now share your love and deep sense loss at his passing but smile at the great times we shared as kids. Blessings on you all and rest in peace Billy Bammer.
John Adamson
I am sorry to have missed this funeral. My wife and I were out of town. I spent many days and more nights hanging out will Bill growing up. I always liked his outgoing nature and sense of humor. I haven't seen Bill since the College of Business days, but he will be missed. He was a wonderful human being. RIP Bill.
Bill possessed a keen sense of humor and thinking of Bill or in rare occasions of seeing him always brought a big smile to my face. We were Sig brothers at the U and enjoyed each other’s company as we had similar senses of humor and common friends. A very kind and generous person who will always mean a lot to me until we meet again. My deepest condolences to his family.