Brigham City – William L. ‘Bill’ Packer, 74, lifelong resident, businessman and community leader peacefully died surrounded by his family September 7, 2001, at his home following 24 years of suffering from a life-altering airplane accident. Bill was born on September 7, 1927, in Brigham City, Utah. He was the 11th child of Ira W. Packer and Emma Jensen Packer.
After serving in the United States Army at the end of World War II he married his high school sweetheart Beverly Carlson in the Logan LDS Temple March 20, 1950. He worked with his father and brothers at Packer Motor Company for 25 years. In 1970 he founded Wm Packer Inc. a full-service real estate brokerage and insurance agency. Later he and his son’s and son in law founded All Pro Real Estate and Anvil Construction.
Bill was a prominent community leader serving as a Brigham City Councilman, Kiwanian, Rotarian, President of the Brigham Chamber of Commerce, Box Elder County Commissioner and appointed by Governor Leavitt to serve on the Utah Consumer Services Committee.
His belief was ‘We seldom pay for the sidewalk we walk on’ instilling in his children the importance to pay back to our society through public service, he may be best known for his outstanding Christmas Lighting and Scene Displays that decorated the family home on 423 E. 100 S. for over 40 years.
He faithfully served his Heavenly Father in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as Bishop of the 1st Ward, High Councilor in the Box Elder Stake, Stake and Ward Young Men’s Leader, Scouting Commissioner and Gospel Doctrine Teacher.
He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter (deer, ducks, and pheasants) and an excellent trout fisherman instilling in his children a deep respect of nature. He never left a campsite without attempting to make it a better place.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly: his children Jeffrey S. (Elaine) Packer of Brigham, Gloria (Randy) Deem of Perry, Janet (Ron) Bingham of Hyrum Kevin (Ann) Parker of Perry, Hutne (Kerry,) Beckstrom of Nibley, and Michelle (Rod) Law of Brigham. Bill and Beverly have 33 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He is survived by his brother Boyd K. (Donna) Packer of Salt Lake City and a Sister Donna (Al -deceased) Swiss of Eureka, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Adele Packer, Verna Beail, Nona Funk, Opal Fry and his brothers Ronald, Leon, Lowell, and Doyle Packer.
Funeral services will be held in the Box Elder Stake Center, 400 South 800 West, Brigham City September 12, at 11 a.m. President Boyd K. Packer presiding. Friends may call at the Gillies-Petersen Funeral Chapel, 634 E. 200 S., Brigham, September 11, 2001 from 6 to 8 p.m. and at the Box Elder Stake Center Relief Society Room from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the services. Interment will be in the Brigham City Cemetery.