Events
William “Bill” Stephenson Hesterman passed away on August 30, 2024 due to his years long battle with pancreatic cancer. Bill was born on October 17, 1954 in Salt Lake City to William and Barbara Hesterman. He was the oldest of five children and loved his immediate family. He loved his childhood and could often be found alongside his dad at local radio station KNAK and at Lagoon to help put on concerts produced by the radio station. He then took the skills he learned with his dad to East High School to lead up the school’s stage crew.
Bill is most well known for his love for pipe organs. As a teenager he took organ lessons from Tabernacle Organist Roy M. Darley. As he learned how to play the instrument he gained an appreciation for how the instrument worked. He learned the skills of tuning and repairing the organ and following his mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Los Angeles, he started his own business building, tuning, and repairing pipe and electronic organs across the intermountain west. His favorite project was taking care of the organ in the Tabernacle on Temple Square during the building’s seismic restoration in 2005-2007.
His busiest time of year was always in December when many churches wanted their organ to sound its best for their annual Christmas programs. To unwind from his “busy season” he would put on his own Christmas organ recital at his neighborhood LDS ward house on Christmas Eve. It became a favorite tradition for his family and many neighbors and friends.
For years he participated in the men’s choir The Swanee Singers. He sang with the group, did stage crew, and eventually conducted the choir. Every spring he always looked forward to the choir’s annual concert. He also enjoyed participating in his stake’s annual production of the Messiah.
Bill met his wife, Jolene, as they attended the same ward as teenagers in Salt Lake City. They dated through high school and after his mission. A story is told that he was going to break up with Jolene but was stunned from speaking when he went to see her. He then had his speaking ability return when he decided he had the courage to ask her to marry him. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple and enjoyed being together for almost 48 years.
Bill and Jolene had three kids. Bill was always the planner for the fun in the family. He made sure his kids shared his love for the Beach Boys by making sure they attended many of the band’s concerts. He also shared his love of all things Disney with his family as he took them on many trips to Disneyland and a few to Disney World.
He also loved trains. He could often be found reading a railroading magazine or counting down the days until he could put his model train up around the family Christmas tree and then leave it up until Valentine’s Day.
Bill was called to various positions within the Church. Most notably, whether officially called or not, he was often found playing the organ in whatever ward he attended. He served as a stake clerk, high priest group leader, and counselor in his ward bishopric. He also served as an assistant to the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square giving tours of the organs at Temple Square and assisting in maintenance work on the organs when extra help was needed by the full-time organ staff.
Bill is preceded in death by his father, William Hesterman. He is survived by his wife, Jolene, his children, Julie Smith (Bo), Jana Gledhill (TJ) and Billy Hesterman (Melissa) and his nine grandchildren. He is also survived by his mother Barbara and his siblings David Hesterman (Becky), Mark Hesterman (Ashley), Lori Smith, and Kristy Moffat (David).
Funeral services for Bill will be held on Friday, September 6th at 10:30 a.m., at the Big Cottonwood Stake Center, 1750 E. Spring Lane, Holladay. Viewings will be held at the same location on Thursday, September 5th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Friday.
Those wishing to view the service via Zoom can click "Watch Service" or follow the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81960811757
Video
Guestbook/Condolences
Bill was always so outgoing and friendly with everyone. We will miss him. We are so sorry for your loss and hope you find peace knowing he is no longer in pain.
Bill will be forever missed in the word of the king of Instruments ( The Organ ) . I don't know what the LDS Chruch will do with out him taking care of the Organs on Temple Square. He will also be missed be Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ. May you play the Organs of Heaven .
Dear Jolene,
My heart and prayers are with you at this challenging but undoubtedly blessed time. I am unable to express what Bill means to me, personally on so many different levels. In my mind I see him sitting many times on the floor of my former Tab. Choir office - the extra chair in that small room was covered with books - while he reported on one of his organ projects. I loved those impromptu sessions!
I see him showing "the committee" - Musicical Instruments Selection Committee (MISC) - his latest organ renovation job. We could always count on the crucial organ finish voicing being finished to the highest standards. Bill turned many "sow's ears into silk purses" as only a master is able.
I see him - and I especially love him for this - sitting in our family room a couple years ago on his birthday, October 17th, celebrating with my homebound Diane whose birthday it also was.
Now I see her visiting him - among those greeting him enthusiastically on the other side. I'm confident they have shared some laughs!
I will be watching his funeral on the provided link Friday morning in transit with my daughter Kristina's family returning from a California vacation. Otherwise, please know that I would be there in person.
May the Lord bless you and your family with His choicest blessings.
With much love and sympathy,
Clay Christiansen
Dear Jolene and Family,
We express our deepest sympathies for you as you mourn the passing of your dear husband and father, Bill Hesterman. He was a dear friend and saved the day many times for our home and ward and Stake Organs. He was a delightful friend and always left our home or church with a cheerful attitude, a llaugh, a smile, and feelings of goodwill and peace. He contributed greatly to the furthering of Organ training for young people and adults in the church We pray that his sweet presence will continue to abide with you and comfort you. We sent our love and sincere prayers for all of you.
We love you Bill! Your friendship has been a high light in our years in the Holladay area. My wife and I danced in the East Millcreek Stake to your father's records and KNAK radio show. We will miss Christmas Eve Hesterman organ programs and your political comments at caucus night. We love your beautiful wife and family! TO A GIANT IN OUR COMMUNITY!!!!
Dear Hesterman Family,
I got to know Bill when he started coming to Richfield to care for the 17 rank, 1929 Austin pipe organ in the Richfield Tabernacle about 30 years ago. He also took care of the organ in the Richfield Stake Center. He was a wonderful tuner and tech. Any time I had a question or a concern, Bill is who I called.
My deepest sympathies to you - his family, for his passing. His teachings will last for years to come.
Bill's opinion was one that I always valued and used as I was preparing requests for MISC regarding our pipe organs. I treasured the times he would come to Las Vegas to help with servicing our instruments and the stories he shared. I will miss him tremendously as a friend who shared his knowldege in more than just musical circles. Thank you Bill. God Speed.
What a passion for the organ! I was in the ward with Bill from 1995 to 2004, and enjoyed visiting and hearing about his work on the Tabernacle organ and the plans for the organ for the new Conference Center.
I was sad to hear of his battle with pancreatic cancer and his death. Music enriches our lives, so we was a blest man.
My condolences to Jolene and your family.
Gerald Hyde
I am so sorry for your loss my beloved brother. My heart is sad to know that you lost your brother and friend. You know there is very special place in the Guedez’s heart for your family.
Dear Jolene,
We are so sad that Bill has left us. I so hope his final days were not extremely painful. He’s made it through many years with this cancer and I hope most of the time was good. Any time I wished him well after a concerning Facebook post, he would call and say he was doing okay. I appreciate so much the support and help he gave me as a Swannee Singers accompanist. He was a wonderful director, and it was a joy to work with him. After doing a temple ordinance for his mother years ago, she told me he was driven to play the organ from a very young age. He gave great service to so many with his many talents. When we lost our son in October 2021, he called with words of support and condolence. It meant a lot to us that he cared. May his mom, Barbara, be comforted. We shouldn’t lose our kids! May you all find peace and have many blessings.
I often think of Bill Hesterman when I play the magnificent organ in the Salt Lake Wasatch Stake Center (formerly Foothill Stake Center) at 1933 South 2100 East. It is a hybrid pipe and electronic instrument, masterfully put together by Bill. He possessed a unique skillset that enabled him to create an instrument that is a delight to play and listen to. Only someone with an extensive knowledge of both kinds of organs, as well as deep understanding of music, could have built such an instrument. I just wrote his registrations in my notebook, from his assigned channel in that organ, and it was like taking a lesson from a master. Dear Hesterman family, as you miss him, please remember that Bill's legacy will remain for a long time in the many instruments he cared for in his distinguished professional career.
Hello Hesterman Family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time .
It was fun reading what you stated about Billy and I learned some new things about him as well.
As a younger cousin, growing up, I saw him as my older cousin, kinda quiet ,but always nice.
I do remember his love of organ.
Again...sorry on your loss, but I am glad he is no longer in pain and is at peace.
Love,
Peggy 💕
My most sincere condolences. Bill and I held roots in common when we were both infants thru early elementary school. Living in the boundary of the East 12th Ward, University Stake, one is reminiscent of a time since long past. The tribute video very much endears one to the Hesterman Family. Bill was and is the like image of his father, William Hesterman, SR.
May the comforting spirit promised to those who grieve in righteousness, be with one and all.
- R Scott Rawlings
"To the Hesterman Family"
What a beautiful service! I first met Bill in 1988. I started playing the organ at age 10 and prior to serving my mission, I attended SUSC in Cedar City. I continued my organ instruction from Jan Harrison at SUSC. After my mission I came home to find the organ I had been playing for years had stopped working and was history. I decided to contact Jan Harrison and just asked her if she knew of any affordable church/classical models for sale. Jan let me know the college had purchased a Rodgers organs from a LDS chapel there in Cedar City to use at the college but they couldn't get it to work. Jan said I'm sure the college would sell it for the $100 they paid for it, then I could put the money into having it fixed. I felt prompted to buy the Rodgers. I then contacted Rodgers Organs in SLC and hired them to go and pick up the organ from Cedar City and bring it to Monroe Utah. That was when I met Bill. After he got the Rodgers into my home and got all the connectors hooked up. It turned out that not one thing was wrong with the organ. Bill made sure the organ was voiced properly before leaving. That was the start of a great friendship and organ technician relationship! After having moved to Salt Lake in 1989. Bill would be the first person I would call when had sold one Rodgers model and would be able to upgrade to a little bit newer model. It always amazed me how when there was a repair needed, most of the time he didn't need to look at the service manual and knew right away what needed to be fixed. Like what was stated in the talks given today, he would not leave until the voicing and sound was as perfect as he could get it. Bill was and is a great person and I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to get to know him throughout the years!! May our Heavenly Father and Savior bless and be with you during this time!
I first met Bill here in arizona on one of his trips. He has been a great friend to us. I will miss our late night's in the tabernacle playing the organ. To the Hesterman family thank you for sharing Bill with us. And to Jolene keep in touch with us. We love you. Mark and Jennifer Shanklin
The story about his proposal to Jolene is attested to by me. I got a very late phone call from Bill after his proposal (the same night when he got home) while I was serving in my Spanish speaking mission in Douglas, Arizona. He told me the story mentioned and wanted to discuss it with me despite me being on my mission. One of my favorite memories of Bill.
I always felt a special warmth and positivity being around Bill. His smile and friendly comments would brighten my day when I saw him at church. I was so impressed with his skill and creativity when playing music on the organ. He would play Christmas music on Christmas Eve over at the church and that felt so sacred and peaceful to be there hearing him. His friendly smile will be in my peaceful memories of him.
Oh, how I wish I had known!!! Bill was a good friend and taught me much about music and about the pipe organ. I put him right up there with my organ teachers Alexander Schreiner, Robert Cundick and Parley Belnap. Bill babied our 21st Ward organ and brought it back to life after it had been rebuilt and murdered by someone else. I will miss his sage advice.
So sorry we didn't know of Bill's passing until today. Would have loved to attend his memorial. Bill, Barbara and family were all great friends when he was growing up. He was a great companion to his father, Bill senior. His dad managed KNAK Radio (my father Howard Johnson's station) when we were much younger. Fortunately we reunited our association a couple of years ago at the Draper Days celebration remembering many childhood events and the "Fun Fun Fun" song written by the Beach Boys in his fathers car on the way to the airport in my honor! Bill attended the car show and we spent several hour reminiscing about those golden days. He surprised me at that event and I have thought frequently about his warm personality and accomplishments since that day. We love Barbara and send everyone our sincere condolences. He was an awesome person and I am sure there was a great reunion with his dear Dad!
Brother Hesterman would take time from his regular schedule to teach my 3rd grade class. I teach at American Heritage School, Salt Lake Campus. Every year, we learned about Bach and other musicians and instruments. Brother Hesterman shared his time and talent with my class each year by taking them into the Tabernacle to show them the organ. He would teach them about how the organ works and what sounds it can make. He would also play familiar and different songs so the students could connect more to it. He made my class' learning so fun and personal. I am so grateful for the time he would take for us! He was very talented, and was so kind to share with us! May he rest in peace with our Father in Heaven.
I just discovered your passing, via internet. Pancreatic Cancer is tough.
See you in heaven sometime down the road..hopefully. I remember as a young man, when I was into hotrods (still am) you had a restored long and black Hearst. Not eccentric at all! Lol.
Cousin Ray from Tx.