1929 ~ 2025
Friday Aug 22, 2025: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Saturday Aug 23, 2025: 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Saturday Aug 23, 2025: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Saturday Aug 23, 2025: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
William Rex Boren (Bill) was born on January 6, 1929, in Bingham Canyon, Utah, to Ellis and Frances Boren and was blessed with five siblings: Russell, Donna Rose, J.D., Jeniel, and Ronald.
Something was magical about Bingham, a melting pot of nationalities and cultures that worked and played together in a climate of friendship, acceptance, and love.
“Billy Boren” attended Bingham High School and became a legend, excelling in football, basketball, and baseball. His love of athletics continued at the University of Utah where he was an outstanding football and baseball player.
Bill served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Finland. Before leaving, he met the love of his life, Norma Jean Nuttall. Although she was not yet a member of his faith, she lovingly supported his missionary service and joined the Church while he was away. After returning home, Bill and Norma were married on October 31,1952 in the Salt Lake Temple.
Following their marriage, Bill served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He later earned a Ph.D. in Educational Administration and became a superintendent, administrator, and life-long teacher. After retiring, Bill and Norma served an education-focused mission in the Washingon D.C. South Mission. Bill also cherished his many years of service in the Salt Lake Temple.
He was never afraid to try new things and carried himself with humble confidence. His hands were always busy - building, repairing, and remodeling. He could figure out how to fix anything. For him, work truly was happiness.
Bill loved music and had a beautiful voice. Throughout his life he often sang “I am a Mormon Boy.” He sang love songs to Norma every day.
Bill lived with unwavering faith, optimism, and a tender heart. He leaves a legacy of love for God, family, country, and neighbors – he served them all well.
Bill passed away peacefully at home on Friday, August 15, 2025, surrounded by his family who loved and adored him.
Children: Becky Burbidge (David), Clark (Denise), Mark (Shelley), William Eric, David (Cynthia), Todd (Leslie), Betsy Willerth (Stephen), Jeanne Hall (Aaron), and Jason (Angie).
Thirty-seven grandchildren and fifty-four great-grandchildren.
“I might be envied by a King, for I am a Mormon Boy.”
Viewings:
Friday, August 22, 2025, 6:00-7:30 PM
Saturday, August 23, 2025, 10:00-10:45 AM
Funeral Service: Saturday, August 23, 2025, 11:00 AM
Location: Federal Heights Ward, 1300 E Fairfax Road, Salt Lake City, Utah 84103
Those wishing to view the service via Zoom can click "Watch Service" or follow the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81139383784
Regardless of how long we lived on earth, it’s always difficult to separate for a moment.
Please, accept my condolence. May his gentle soul rest in the arms of the LORD.
Bill was a great example to all of us. I learned much from simply watching him.
I grew up in South Ogden on Kiwana Drive two doors from the Boren’s. I remember Bishop Boren well and always knew he loved everyone in the 60th Ward.
I loved the Boren family and appreciated their good influence in the neighborhood! May God bless you all!
My father, Cal Crump, and Bill were best friends at Bingham High School. They were classmates in the Bingham Class of 1947 and played football, basketball and baseball together. They would develop a life-long friendship, not only among themselves, but with numerous other members of their class and of Bingham Canyon. Over 70 years after his graduation, Bill was still meeting with classmates on a regular basis for a Golden Corral luncheon. Since I loved the history of Bingham Canyon, my father invited me to come to these lunches where I could learn about the glory days of Bingham Canyon from Bill and his fellow Bingham Miners. At first, I could only go to lunches during the summer months when I was not teaching at Bingham High, but later after I retired in 2014, I could attend on a more regular basis. Even after my father passed away in 2016, I was still invited to Class of 1947 gatherings where I continued to enjoy their company and felt right at home as a stand-in for my father. Bill loved Bingham Canyon and the people who lived there and had so many interesting stories to tell about his life growing up as a Bingham Miner. A year ago, I received a call from Bill who was so excited that his life history book had recently been published and he wanted me to have a copy. I felt honored that he would think of me and enjoyed learning more about his life. My life has been made richer knowing Bill Boren, one of Bingham´s greats (a 1985 Bingham High School Pay Dirt Club-Hall of Fame inductee) who has made so many amazing contributions to not only Bingham Canyon but to the entire state of Utah.
Scott Crump