William (Bill) Elden Hadfield

William (Bill) Elden Hadfield, 81 years old, completed his mortal journey on March 7, 2026. Bill passed peacefully in his home of 50 years. He suffered a stroke in January of 2026, complications of which took his life. Bill led an extraordinary life full of family, hard work, service to his fellow men, and devotion to Jesus Christ. Bill lived by the scripture, “When ye are in the service of your fellow men, ye are only in the service of your God.”

Bill was born in Logan, Utah on May 17, 1944, to Elden and Sarah Hadfield. He enjoyed a childhood of adventure living in New Jersey, Texas, and Utah. He moved to Australia in 1952 with his parents and 3 sisters. His family lived in Australia for over 10 years, and these years shaped much of Bill’s outlook on life. He learned to see everyone as one of God’s children. He grew to appreciate hard work and family. He enjoyed the varied geography, wildlife, and “wild west-ness” of the places where he lived. Bill also grew to love the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the gospel of Jesus Christ, as his family sacrificed time and resources as part of the growing Church in this country.

Bill left Australia to attend BYU. Following his freshman year, he served as a missionary to the Northern Far East mission. Bill served on every island in the Japanese nation except Okinawa. Missionary service added to the bedrock faith Bill would live by throughout the rest of his life. He loved his mission. Japanese statements and phrases were part of the culture he would create with his dear Gayle in their future family. Even more, Dad loved what he learned about Jesus Christ and The Book of Mormon as a missionary, and those teachings were part of his everyday living.

Upon graduation from BYU with his degree in Asian Studies, Bill married the love of his life, Gayle Ann Read, on October 18, 1968, in the Mesa Temple. He had enlisted in the United States Army, and the two of them made their way through 3 years of honorable service in Monterey California, Baltimore Maryland, and Killeen Texas. Bill and Gayle left the army with 2 children: Aaron and Kathryn (Katie).

Bill and Gayle settled in Tucson Arizona after their army years. A job search led him to Fredric Fischer Jewelers. He became a certified gemologist and was soon transferred to Phoenix. This is where Amanda joined the family.

Bill never warmed up to the Arizona climate. When his father, who lived in Salt Lake City, offered him a position in his drapery and floor covering business, Bill accepted, and returned his family to a climate he favored more.

Once in Salt Lake, Bill and Gayle took up residence on Westminster Avenue. Bill worked during the day and attended BYU in the evenings, earning a second bachelor’s degree in Interior Design. They welcomed Tyler, Jessica and Jennifer while starting Affiliated Interior Designs and serving in the church. In 1984, Bill and Gayle began the Lamp Company, the business Bill loved and carried on for 40 years.

Bill served his fellow men in many ways, including through his profession. He owned and operated businesses that provided comfort and light. He loved solving problems to help his clients have the outcomes they envisioned. He thrived on the interactions, friendships and relationships he built with customers, designers, architects, and crafts men. Bill was a man of great integrity. Those who engaged him professionally often noted that he never charged enough for the quality work he provided.

In 2004 Bill and Gayle welcomed their youngest, Alexander to the family. Bill’s family is his greatest legacy. He has influenced each of his children in immeasurable ways. No other success has greater value to Bill than to know his family walks honorably before God and seeks to make the world a better place for others.

Bill gave countless hours of service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and enjoyed serving with all his heart. He was as happy to be a Bishop as he was to be the building cleaning coordinator, and always a ministering brother at heart. He was also a devoted veil worker in the Salt Lake Temple for 17 years.

Bill also offered years of service to many college athletes as he helped reorganize and support the University of Utah’s rugby program from 2001-2013. Bill derived great joy from his time in the U’s rugby program. So many rugby players love Bill, and Bill loved those players as much as he loved the sport itself.

Bill leaves behind 23 grandchildren (3 serving LDS missions out of the country) and 7 great grandchildren who will hear all about him in the years to come. His life on earth is ended, but his influence will remain for generations.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Elden and Sarah Hadfield, his brother-in-law Joe Berry and nephew Allen Berry and great granddaughter Esther Walter. He is survived by his sisters: Susan Johnson (Gary), Cindy Berry, and Nancy Stratford (Bruce). Bill will dearly miss his beloved wife, Gayle, and his children; Aaron (Jody), Katie Graham (John), Amanda Shirley (John), Tyler (Katie), Jessica Hintze (Matt), Jenny Stout (Josh), and Alex. We will miss him greatly but are confident that he is engaged in the Lord’s work on the other side.

Bill’s life will be honored through a viewing on Friday, March 13, 2026, from 6-8 p.m. at the Edgehill Ward building, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,1750 South 1500 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84105. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 10 a.m. also at the Edgehill building. Interment will be at the Vine Bluff Cemetery in Nephi, Utah.

‘Til we meet again, Dad. We love you!

Those wishing to view the service via Zoom can click "Watch Service" or follow the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86136520777