George Richard Wilson was born in Provo, Utah, Tuesday, August 13, 1940, to George Junius Wilson and Echo Denning. The family moved from Provo to Salt Lake City and then Bountiful before he was two. Three more children were born to George and Echo; a brother, Val, a stillborn sister, and another sister, Lauralee.
Richard attended Davis County schools and graduated from Bountiful High School in 1958. He attended and graduated from Weber State College with an Associate Degree in 1960. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1966 from Brigham Young University (BYU) where he majored in Agricultural Economics with a minor in Agronomy. While at BYU he worked as a photographer for the campus newspaper, the Daily Universe.
He was employed by the Utah State Department of Agriculture working with the grain, seed, and feed programs. He worked there for 40 years, becoming the director of the Division of Plant Industry. He served as chair for several state committees including the control of noxious weeds and insect pests including mosquitoes, gypsy moths and Mormon crickets.
He married Jocile Ison of Caldwell, Idaho, in the Salt Lake Temple on April 14, 1965. To them were born 7 children: Annette, Shegay (Wade) Cook, Martha (Barret) Blake, Rachel (Todd) Godfrey, Elizabeth (Kyle) Wright, Megan (Jered) Larsen, Jay Richard (Cristina) Wilson. Richard loved all of his family dearly and loved to see and visit each of them. He counted each of the 14 grandchildren, (seven boys and seven girls) as rich blessings. He was a nurturing father and husband, the kind of father who took his son, Jay, to a Fathers & Sons outing in diapers.
Richard’s testimony of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ was his guiding light and most prized possession. He always carried a card his father gave him in his wallet that said: “Nothing is as important as my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!” Every time he reached in his wallet for money, he was reminded of his testimony of Jesus Christ.
He served five missions in his life: the North Central States including part of Canada, a Stake Missionary at BYU, a Family History Library Mission in Salt Lake City, a Church Educational System mission with his wife in the Michigan Lansing Mission, and finally with his wife, he served as a Guest Service Missionary on Temple Square.
He found great joy serving in many other callings throughout the years including Sunday School teacher. Ward Clerk, Elders Quorum President Councilor in a Bishopric, High Councilor & High Priests Group Leader, and temple ordinance worker.
At the age of 13, Richard was one of the 50,000 boy scouts who attended a Jamboree in Orange County, California in1953. His love of scouting grew from this experience. For 32 years he served in various positions with the Boy Scouts of America taking boys on many summer and winter camps. For all his service, he was awarded the Silver Beaver Award.
He grew up hearing family pioneer stories which sparked a strong interest in family history. He gathered rich sources of old photographs and stories from his grandparents and relatives on both sides of his family and made several thick books of remembrance.
His hobbies included photography, gardening, fishing, Dutch oven cooking, wood carving and genealogy.
Richard loved the Book of Mormon, and read it faithfully every morning. Each time he finished it, he wrote his start and finish date inside. In his current copy we noted that he has read it 18 times since 2009. His faithfulness will always be an example to his posterity.
He passed away Sunday, September 18, 2022, at his home in Bountiful, Utah. He is survived by his wife, Jocile, his seven children, his brother L. Val Wilson, his sister Lauralee Rigby, and 14 grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and infant sister.
Richard’s family is grateful for the kind and loving care given by Bristol Hospice during the last few months.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 24, 2022, at the Bountiful 11th Ward, 115 E. Wicker Lane, Bountiful, Utah. An evening viewing will be held 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, September 23, 2022, at Russon Mortuary, 295 N. Main Street, Bountiful, Utah, with another viewing Saturday morning from 9:30-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment Bountiful City Cemetery.
Services will be streamed live on the Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.
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