Gay Pettingill

Our loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, great-great grandfather and friend, Gay W. Pettingill, passed away peacefully at home, June 24, 2018. Gay was born on November 2, 1926 to Elihu B. Pettingill and Wanda Ward. He was raised in Willard and graduated from Box Elder High School. He graduated from Weber State College with an Associate's Degree in watch making. Gay entered into the US Navy the day before his eighteenth birthday. He served for three years in the Pacific Theater. He was out at sea for all of those years, setting foot on land very little. Gay married his sweetheart, Helen Humphreys on December 27, 1948. They were later sealed in the Logan Temple. Together they have five children. Gay was the Boss. He possessed a "can do" attitude, he met every day unintimidated no matter what the challenge. He was an engineer, visionary, designer, inventor, and a forceful leader, always seeking a way to do better. He was a legend of the orchards. Gay served on the Utah Cherry Board, Utah Apple Marketing Board, Box Elder County Horticulturist of the year in 1966, Utah State Horticulturist of the year in 1969 and 2003, and President of the Box Elder Soil Conservation District. Gay was a member of the LDS church and served as Bishop, his favorite calling, and many other callings. Gay was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Brent J. & Jeffrey W. Pettingill; and a granddaughter, Marie Pettingill. He is survived by his wife of 69 1/2 years; three children, Jay Reed (Gizelle), Steven George (Rebecca), Jean P. (Kent) Davis; Daughter-in-law, Sylvia P. Pettingill; 16 grandchildren; 43 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 30 at 11:00am at the Willard Stake Center, 8300 South Hwy 89. Viewings will be held on Friday evening, June 29 from 5:30-8:00pm at the church and again on Saturday from 9:30-10:30am prior to the service. The family wishes to thank Rhoda Dalton the Envision Hospice Nurse for the care she took and all of the friends and family who visited. Send condolences to www.gfc-utah.com