William Karl Robinson - CB handle “Will Power” - has finally powered through his last roadblock to be with his sweetheart Donna. This long-hauler signed off on November 26, 2021, at his daughter’s home, surrounded by his loved ones. He was 91 years old.
Bill was a man of integrity, strength, and grit. He was deeply loyal and faithfully served his wife with determination throughout her progression into dementia. His rough exterior enclosed a tender and empathetic heart.
No one could out-work our Dad. He was a resourceful and ingenious problem solver. Throughout his life, he was determined to make things right. He leaves us a legacy of honesty, love of country, and faith in Jesus Christ.
Bill was born on July 22, 1930, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to his loving parents, Karl, and Lorna Robinson, the fourth of six children. When it came time for high school, he finagled a way to go to South High where he could be with his best friend, Grant Neerings. With a full beard, big muscles, and being quite the character, he was known as a lady killer.
In 1948 he married Carol Young and was blessed with three wonderful children, Susan, David, and Alan. Heartbroken after his first marriage ended in divorce, Bill was generously compensated when he found and married the love of his life, Donna Almeda Renner, on December 5, 1957, in the Salt Lake Temple. They enjoyed sixty-two wonderful years together and were blessed with three doting daughters, Cindy, Lynda, and Jill.
Bill and Donna were fortunate enough to build a home on Sundown Avenue in Salt Lake. It was the perfect place to raise a family where they were surrounded by many good friends and neighbors. It will always be considered home.
Bill worked hard in the trucking industry for most of his life. He started by helping his dad haul coal. He moved up to changing big truck tires for Milne Trucking, loading, and unloading cinder blocks by hand, and driving and hauling heavy concrete girders for Buehner Block. He was so proud to work for and help run his father’s Karl S. Robinson Trucking Company. It was there that he registered his most fitting CB handle, “Will Power.”
Though Dad’s long haul included some tough roads, he took time to have fun. He played as hard as he worked. He loved golf, bowling, water-skiing, archery, swimming, motorcycling, card games, pool, and fishing.
After retiring, Bill and Donna moved to Ivins, Utah, in the Padre Lakes community. They absolutely loved it there and made many wonderful friendships. They also owned a cute little cabin in Weber Canyon near Oakley where they would spend their summers and where their family would often gather and make memories. Bill meticulously improved and cared for the cabin property, and every inch stands as a monument to his hard work ethic and ingenuity.
Bill is survived by his sister Evlynn Scott and brother Calvin (Nina) Robinson; daughters Cindy (William) Atkin, Lynda (Michael) Patterson, Jill (Phil) Pack, and Susan Tippets; sons David Robinson and Alan Robinson; 21 grandchildren, at least 32 great children, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna, his parents Karl and Lorna Robinson, and siblings LaPreal Anderson, Ken Robinson, and Garth Robinson.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Saturday, December 4th at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. 10600 S. Sandy, Utah at 2:00 p.m. A visitation will be held there one hour prior.
JIll and the entire Robinson family, I am very sorry for your loss. During this time, I pray that you are finding peace and comfort. I will remember your father as a man of strength, kindness, faith, and unconditional love.
I dearly loved my uncle Bill! I have many fond memories of during my growing up years of this sweet man and his dear family! I have had the privilege in the last few years of spending time with he and my mother at their cabin properties in Oakley. Together we spent wonderful hours playing tons of card games and chatting! I really loved talking politics with him! He was a true patriot and dearly loved American. He also brought me back to the game of bowling which I had not played in a long time! It was a blast to bowl with him! The last time I was with Bill was a lunch date with he and my mom! The afternoon was delightful and of course he treated us and paid for the date! My heart still smiles to recall that last day together! I will miss those lunch dates, card games, bowling and the chatting sessions we shared together! I am so happy to think that he at last is reunited with his dear Donna, Grandma and Grandpa and his other siblings. I love you Uncle Bill and I am going to miss you! file
So sad to here of Bill’s passing he was a great guy I wish we could have gone to his funeral. I will always be grateful for him giving us the opportunity to purchase his parents cabin in Hidden Lake. We will have many family memories at the cabin over the years thanks to Bill and Donna. We’ve known them for over 40 years they were always so nice to us and our family and enjoyable to talk to. They will be missed and we longer have Bill as a neighbor at the cabin. We extend our condolences to all of his family at time.