William Terry

William Franklin Terry, age 82, passed away on May 14, 2018. He was born on August 30, 1935 in Whitwell, Tennessee to Oscar Ott Higdon and Ruby Terry. He grew up in Tennessee and then joined the Army in 1959. He was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division stationed in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He also spent time in other areas while he was serving, including Alaska. He jumped out of many planes during training. Bill was discharged from the army in 1963 and then met the love of his life Judi Davis in Lancaster, California. On November 22, 1963 Bill and Judi were married in Lancaster, the same day as John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Bill and Judi made California their home in the 60’s and 70’s. They lived in Lancaster, Palmdale, Quartz Hill and Indio. Their biological children (Bryan, Mark and Lori) were born in Lancaster. In 1969, Bill became a reinforcing union ironworker and worked in various places in California, including the California Aqueduct and a nuclear Power plant in San Luis Obispo. In 1973 Bill and Judi and their children moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and bought a home. Bill went to work for Steel Engineers, Inc. He worked for SEI for approximately 26 years until he retired in 1999. During their life in Las Vegas, Bill and Judi were foster parents and touched the lives of many children they took in. In 2004, Bill and Judi adopted three little girls (Erica, Adela and Ruby Anna) in Las Vegas. That same year Bill and Judi and the girls moved to Beaver, Utah where they built their little ranch, The Whispering Pines, in the beautiful North Creek. Bill and Judi were married for 54 years until his death. Bill was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved to take his kids and grandkids fishing in the Beaver Mountains. Together with his family they loved to hunt in the Northern Nevada and the Beaver Mountains. Bill loved the game of baseball and coached little league and softball, including his two sons. He would umpire baseball games when he wasn’t coaching them. He also coached kid’s basketball. Bill was a true a true San Francisco Giant’s, 49er’s fan as well as and Running Rebels basketball fan. Bill is survived by his wife Judi Alma Jeaniel Davis Terry of Beaver, UT. His children William Bryan (Susan) Terry of Beaver, UT, Mark Terry of Beaver, UT, Lori (Norm) Halliday of Henderson, NV, Erica (Shilo) Haddenham of Beaver, UT, Adela Terry of Beaver, UT, Ruby Anna Terry of Beaver, UT and Bill Bowen (previous marriage) of North Carolina. His brothers Daniel (Corky) Terry of Lancaster, CA, Steven Terry of Beaver, UT and sister Faye Byrd of Henderson, NV. Along with 19 grandchildren and 10 great great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents Oscar Ott Higdon and Ruby Terry. His brother Jerry Wayne Terry, sister Barbara Roberts and grandson Jarrod Halliday. The Terry family would like to thank all the wonderful doctors and nurses at the Beaver Valley and St. George Dixie Regional hospitals for the care they gave to our Dad and Grandpa. We would also like to thank all the friends and neighbors for their support during his illness. A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 11:00 am at the Beaver 5th Ward. Arrangements are under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences can be made at www.sumortuary.com.