William Marden Stapley Jr. “Billy” died unexpectedly March 5th, 2023 at the age of 70. He complained the day earlier of an earache and was having difficulty breathing. He called an ambulance to come and take him to the ER. He then suffered a collapsed lung and pneumonia followed by the discovery of stage 4 lung cancer that ultimately led to heart failure. All within 35 hours. He was born July 28th, 1952 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to William Stapley & Joyce Kelley Stapley. He graduated from Skyline High School in 1970, where he played on the soccer team. He then joined the US Air Force and served during the Vietnam War. He worked as a roofer until he found a job he loved as a cook at the Farmer’s Daughter. He worked there for many years; this is where he learned to be an excellent billiards player. He enjoyed cooking as a hobby for his family, especially his mom. He was a fan of the Minnesota Vikings, the University of Utah and the Utah Jazz. He loved to ski and play sports. He was passionate about music and loved to play the guitar. He enjoyed attending concerts with his brothers and nieces. Billy shared many of his mother's attributes. He was extremely kind, patient, giving, meek, and spoke no guile. He had the gift of gab and loved to talk to everyone. Billy did not have children, but he loved and treated his many nieces and nephews like his own and showered them with gifts at Christmas and on birthdays. He was an amazing caregiver for his parents in their older years. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was also proud of his pioneer heritage. Billy’s great-great grandmother Young Elizabeth Steele Stapley was the first pioneer child born in Utah on August 9th, 1847.
He is survived by his younger brother Gary (Wendy), nieces and nephews Samantha, Allie, Ireland, Jonathan, and Olivia Stapley, Ian, Gary, Brigham, James and Megan Forrest, Vincent and Lillian Stapley. He was preceded in death by his sisters Lila Jean Stapley and Jackie Forrest, father William Stapley, mother Joyce Stapley, and brother Denny Stapley.
The funeral will be held Friday March 10th at 11 am, 3408 Celeste Way in SLC. Family will receive and would love to visit with friends and family from 10-11am. Services will be streamed live with this link: https://youtube.com/live/Sp4lJhUFKcc?feature=share
Interment will be at Larkin Sunset Lawn located at 2350 E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, Utah.
So sorry to hear the news. Bill was a great fun person for a neighbor and to work with the Farmer’s daughter. I will miss him.
I am so sorry to hear of Bills passing. I worked with Bill at the Post Office , he was such a great guy. He was always in a pleasant mood and friendly to everyone. He spoke about his family often, especially his nieces and nephews. He will be missed. My condolences to his family.
We have so many memories growing up next to Bill and the family. Working with him at the Farm teaching me how to play pool and his willingness to always have a conversation.
He will be missed.
I cannot express how sad it is to hear of Bill's passing. I enjoyed so much playing and talking music with him. It had been so long since I had seen him, but have such great memories of him. He will be missed profoundly.
Sorry for the loss of Bill. I'm gonna miss him. He was a super nice and helpful guy. He is in the great pool hall in the sky.
I originally met bill through a mutual friend of ours named Marty Taft. Marty passed away in 1983 and I still maintain contact with Bill. I forged a friendship with Bill when he worked at the long gone Farmer's I Daughter Cafe and billiards. Where Bill once worked as a grill cook. He cooked an awesome cheeseburger. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. R. I. P. My old friend. God be with you till we meet again.