Events
Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, William Blood Mansell (Bill) left this mortal life suddenly and unexpectedly on Saturday, November 23, 2024.
Bill was born on August 27, 1939, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Lawrence William Mansell and Esther Lowella Hadlock Mansell. He was raised in a loving home with his parents and siblings: Faye, Joyce, Larry, and Mary. He attended South High School where he excelled in school and ran track. He took 5th place in the State in the mile run. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Northern States Mission. He also served in the National Guard and the Army Reserve for 11 years.
Bill married his beloved life-long sweetheart, Helen Annette Welch, in the Salt Lake Temple on June 8, 1962. They were happily married for 62 years and together they raised 6 wonderful children.
He attended the University of Utah and earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and later a master’s degree in education administration. Bill taught 6th grade for 14 years and was an Elementary School Principal for 21 years in the Granite School District. He always worked very hard, having extra jobs in the summer and before school, to support his family.
Bill loved to travel and was always excited about the next adventure. He often took his family, and he always took his sweetheart, on many wonderful vacations. These are a source of fun memories for our family. When they got married, Bill promised Annette that he would take her to visit every temple in the world. He later, out of necessity, had to revise the promise to include only the 12 temples that existed in 1962! He and Annette traveled all over the world visiting temples and seeing new places. He especially loved their trip to the Holy Land and walking where Jesus walked.
Bill was a happy, joyful person. We will all miss his genuine smile and fun laugh. He had a work-hard, play-hard attitude to life. He was up early in the morning ready to go before the sun was up. He was often found studying his scriptures, going to the gym, doing family history work, attending the temple, baking his famous wheat bread and working in his yard. He thought of others before himself by regularly visiting or helping those in need. He loved attending concerts, sporting events, plays, or other activities involving his children or grandchildren. Whatever was important to them was important to him and he always cheered them on.
Bill was a faithful, devoted, and valiant disciple of Jesus Christ throughout his life, giving his all to loving and serving his family and many others. He held many callings in the Church including serving as a Bishop in Sandy, Utah and as President of the New Mexico Albuquerque Mission from 2001-2004. Bill served in the temple for many years including another full-time mission with Annette in the Boston Massachusetts Temple. Most recently he served as a primary teacher and temple office worker in the Draper Temple with Annette. He never missed an opportunity to bear a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. We are grateful for his 85 years with us and are comforted with a knowledge that we will be with him again.
Bill is survived by his wife, Annette, children, Bill (Marquette) Mansell, Marcia (Paul) Day, Mike Mansell, Diane (Joe) Boud, Greg (Mignon) Mansell, and Catherine (Jason) Topham, 25 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren at last count. He is also survived by two sisters, Faye Hillyard and Mary Facer. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Larry, his sister, Joyce and 2 grandsons, Jay Mansell and Ben Boud.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building located at 1834 E. Creek Road, Sandy, Utah 84093. Friends and family may attend a viewing on Friday evening, November 29, 2024, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., and Saturday from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. prior to the funeral. Both viewings will be at the Church in Sandy. The interment will be at Larkin Sunset Gardens located at 1950 East 10600 South (Dimple Dell Rd), Sandy, Utah, 84092. Funeral services can be viewed online using the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87544576479
Guestbook/Condolences
Mr.Mansell taught at Millcreek Elementary when I was there in the 1960s. Everyone wanted him as their teacher. Although I was never officially assigned to his class, I was able to spend some time with him. I struggled with math, and my teacher felt Mr.Mansell could help. He took the time after school each day to sit down and help me. It obviously changed my life, as I still remember it after 55 years. A good man he was. God Bless!
These two amazing people had a huge impact on my life
Deepest and sincere condolences
I so loved this man! He was my kid’s principal at Western Hills many years ago and I served in the PTA! When he moved to Silver Hills elementary, he helped me get a teachers aide job at the school and loved every minute of it!! I loved when we would ever run into him! Sorry for your loss! He is definitely one of the good ones!
Bill Mansell was our Bishop in the Union 21st Ward during the late 80’s to early 90’s. He was a wonderful neighbor, and always willing to help others. I would see him in the Draper Temple as we both worked there too. Always positive and had that infectious smile. He was a man of faith, and integrity. He will be missed
by his family and friends. It was my pleasure to know him. Jack Hart
Him and Mrs. Mansell was like an angel sent from God during my mission; taking care of me and my companions. For that and many other reasons, I can never thank him and Mrs. Mansell enough. Together they were obvious soulmates that made me want to find mine. May he rest in peace and my deepest condolences for his family.
I had the absolute privilege to live with the Mansells during two transfers on my mission. Along with his wife, Brother Mansell provided a safe and loving home full of the spirit, always ready to welcome us back after a long day’s work. He made sure we were taken care of and had what we needed. I am thankful for his service and his kindness and will never forget him.
I was one of President Mansell’s missionaries. He taught me to be bold in declaring my witness of the restored gospel, to serve and love others first. I will forever be grateful for his gentle love and guidance. The lessons he taught me as a missionary have stayed with me for 20+ years.
We are so sorry for your loss. Bill was always such a wonderful neighbor and friend to all. He will be dearly missed.
Dear Annette,
It is with great gratitude for your association in The Boston Temple that we express our condolences to you and your family. You are an exemplary couple of Faith in The Lord Jesus Christ. Your joy and example of dedication to serve was a blessing to all Temple workers and patrons. We appreciated your warmth and kindness and friendship. The Lord will comfort you and give you peace because of your covenant keeping lives.
with love,
Steve and Barbara Jorgensen
Jeff & I send our deepest condolences to the Mansell Family. President Mansell will always be a part of my story. He’ll always that person who has helped me to gain a deeper love of the gospel. We had a good visit with them in August 2019 when we were on our way back from Albuquerque. At least in our faith, we know, this will never be goodbye. We know where he is called to be💖 He’ll be a huge help on the other side💖 All my love to you Sister Mansell
Our sincerest condolences. May the Lord bless and comfort you in your time of grief. I only met Bill once or twice (I was Marcia's companion in Italy), but remember him fondly.
I am so sad that Bill Mansell is no longer with us. I have a great fondness and love for this great man. He and I laughed and laughed when we worked together at Silver Hills Elementary. And then when he hired me at Fox Hills. I am going to miss you my sweet friend. Thank you for the beautiful memories ❤
I’ve always thought of Bishop Mansell as the best man in the Ward, and I will miss him.
"Big Bill" was my uncle. I have many fond memories of parties, Sunday dinners, Christmas and Thanksgiving at Granpa and Granma Welch's house. Bill was a "stand-in" dad so I could go to the Daddy Daughter Dates every year. Sending love to Annette and all my cousins.
I served in the New Mexico Albuquerque mission from October 2001, October 2003. I loved President Mansell. He always had a smile on his face, and was always excited to see his Missionaries. I'm saddens to hear of his passing. I will always remember his smiling face. He is an amazing man. My condolences go out to Annette and the rest of the family.
Love you Annette
Elder Crawford