Bill Mahaffey

Bill’s journey began in Phoenix, Arizona, where he was born on February 21, 1940, to Orville Freemon Mahaffey and Gladys Virginia Hale. He left this world on February 21, 2025, his 85th birthday. He grew up alongside his sister, Linda Ann Mahaffey, developing a love for family and adventure that would last a lifetime.

Bill attended West High School in Phoenix, Arizona, where his musical talents earned him a music scholarship to Arizona State University. Although he had a great love for music and had a desire to further his musical education, Bill decided to join the Navy and served in California from 1958 to 1961. His service was a defining time in his life, helping to shape his sense of duty to his country.

After joining the Navy, he met his first love, Marlene Gardner. Their first encounter was at the Gold & Green Ball—the year's biggest dance, even more important than the prom. Marlene, a senior in high school, was in charge of the event, carrying herself with class and control. Bill, a typical show-off junior, was lucky that she didn’t yet know who he was. Two years later, they met again—this time, Bill was a little older, a little wiser, and very much smitten. After a six-month courtship, they married on June 2, 1960, beginning a lifelong journey together.

Bill and Marlene built a family together, raising five children—Shannon, Crystal, Robert, Shawn, and April. For 49 years, they shared life’s joys and challenges. Even after her passing, her spirit remained a part of him.

Later in life, Bill found love again with Rose Gier Hultman Mahaffey, whom he married in 2013. Their meeting was one of divine timing—Bill had planned to run errands one day but suddenly felt prompted to go to the temple instead. Upon arriving, he saw Rose and decided to stay for a sealing session. As fate would have it, she was the sealing secretary for that very session. That simple, unexpected moment led to a deep and loving companionship. Bill was a strong man of faith and together, they created new memories and continued their journey of faith, love, and service. They served a variety of missions while living at home. They were temple workers, helped inmates do indexing for genealogical research at the local prison, and helped conduct substance abuse groups. During this time, Bill was also the choir director at the prison. He and Rose developed many special friends at the prison during these years. 

Bill had a love for farming, which took root in 1954. Carl and Madeline Goedeke, one of his father’s friends, invited him to spend a summer on their farm in Missouri. Bill was a self-proclaimed city boy and had never been so close to a cow or sheep, but those months on the Goedeke’s farm molded his future. Through this experience, he developed a deep respect for hard work, the land, and the people who tended it. He even took sabbaticals from reality to farm—hauling green-chopped alfalfa to dairies and later working at a dairy farm in Clifton, Idaho, where he milked cows, fed livestock, and even learned the art of artificial insemination. His connection to cows was legendary. No dinner was complete without at least one story about cows and manure. Until his last day, he insisted that he never brought it up—someone else always did—but he took the blame!

Bill had a deep love for nature, often finding peace in places others wouldn’t, such as a frozen cow pasture or a dusty field. His passion for photography allowed him to capture beauty in the world around him, preserving moments that might otherwise be forgotten. His love for flowers led him to create a special flower book, showcasing the vibrant world he saw through his lens.

Bill had a natural talent for music and entertainment. He primarily worked in the printing industry but found himself involved for a short time in television. In his young adult life was part of the crew for The Wallace and Ladmo Show, a legendary children's program in Arizona. Occasionally, he was brought on-screen to take part in skits—adding his own flair to the beloved show. He loved the theater and was a part of many productions over the years. He was also a part of the internationally known Barbershop chorus called the Phoenicians, as well as singing with his sister Linda in the Southern California Mormon choir.

Bill’s angelic tenor voice was well-loved, and he was often asked to sing at Christmas events, performing ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, Oh Holy Night, and The Man in My Little Girl’s Life at daddy-daughter dates. No matter where he lived, Bill was always directing choirs, whether at church or, as mentioned before, prison ministries. His claim to fame was accidentally hitting Spencer W. Kimball on the head with his baton.

Marlene also came from a musical background, and together, they dreamed of their family becoming like the Von Trapps from The Sound of Music. Our mom even made matching outfits for each of us for a big performance, only to have Shannon come down with the mumps the night before the big day. Although we gave them a lot of attitude and drama, we are grateful for the priceless memories and things that we have learned that have been carried throughout our lives.

Bill’s passion for food was just as diverse as his interests. He was always experimenting with new food fads—there was the juicing phase, the macrobiotic phase, and even the seaweed phase. Yet some things remained constant: his love for chimichangas, tostadas, butter-laden peas with Tabasco sauce, and a classic PB&J before bed.

Bill was also known for his love for traditions. His family will always remember the 12 Nights of Christmas caroling. Each child would choose a family to carol to and light the candle. Another tradition we loved were our desert picnics where his children would spend endless hours chasing bugs and lizards while he tended the fire and got the hot dogs ready. His adventurous spirit led to childhood antics like sneaking graham crackers to his dog Freckles to taste, waiting for them to dry, and then passing them off to the neighbor girl. We also have fond memories frog gigging with our dad who, when we got home, prepared the legs for dinner and had us come and watch the legs jump around the counter when he salted them. All of us will never forget irrigations days.  I don’t think we’ll ever know how he had the energy to pull us kids around on plywood so we could “ski” on the recently irrigated lawns.

As we say goodbye to William Hale Mahaffey, let us carry forward the lessons he taught us—the importance of seeing beauty in the everyday, embracing life’s simple joys, and sharing love through the things we are most passionate about.

May his spirit continue to guide and inspire us, just as it did in life. Rest in peace, Dad. Your example and the memories we have made together will be in our hearts forever.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marlene Gardner, and his son Shawn Michael Mahaffey. He is survived by his wife Rose; his sister, Linda Smith (Spencer) of Simi Valley, California; his children, Shannon Williams (Doran) of Salem, Utah, Crystal LeSueur (Gary) of Mesa, Arizona, Robert Mahaffey of St. George, Utah, and April Miller (Greg) of Salem, Utah; his stepson, James Gier of Modesto, California; 16 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, 8 step-grandchildren, and 11 step-great-grandchildren; Toby, their cat; along with the countless wild birds he fed faithfully for many years.

The family would like to express our great appreciation for the thoughtful neighbors and church friends who have helped in countless ways. We would also like to thank the amazing nurses, aides, social workers, and doctors at Gunnison Hospice and Home Health. They were there for us with anything we needed, day or night, especially during Bill’s last days.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 12:00 Noon in the Centerfield LDS Ward Chapel, 230 Main St, where friends may call for viewing Friday morning from 10:00 to 11:30 prior to the services.  Military honors will be accorded by the Centerfield American Legion Post #105 and the United States Navy Honor Guard. 

Burial will take place on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. at the Oxford Cemetery in Clifton, Idaho under the care of Springer Turner Funeral Homes of Richfield and Salina, Utah.