Nephi was born on April 14 1958, to Edward Joseph and Bessie Jean Wirthlin. He was the 11th of 12 Children. (Leo, Joe, Kathy, Jake, Ruth, Sterling, Val, Chris, Mary, BJ, Nephi, John) with only 9 of the siblings still living. He grew up on a little farm in Yucaipa, California, where he enjoyed the Beach and making memories with his Siblings. In 1971 his mom moved him and some of the siblings to Utah, where he finished up his youth running the streets of Orem.

Nephi made many friends in Utah, but spent most of his time with his family, especially his best friend and younger brother John. Nephi then met his wife Laurie Ann Falslev, who he was sealed to in the Mount Timpanogos temple. They lived in Spanish Fork in their first years of marriage while Nephi worked maintenance at Provo town. Later the whole family moved in with his mom in Orem to help her in her final years of life. They brought into this world four beautiful children: Kylie, Quin, Karissa and Kaylea. He worked as a head custodian at Cherry Hill Elementary for 23 years. Many memories and friends were made there. The students really adored him.

Nephi had the opportunity to have some callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints. He served as a young men's leader, assistant ward executive secretary, nursery leader, building maintenance specialist, youth boys scout master, and webelos leader.

Nephi was a man of many trades. He liked painting and woodworking. He truly mastered the grill. He was famous for his grilled chicken. You could always find him either up in the mountains hunting or fishing, and was very skilled in his elk calling. He loved to take his nephews and son out hunting with his brother John. He was often helping others, especially if they needed his help fixing something. There was not much that he could not fix. He truly had a heart of Gold. One way you knew Nephi was present was when you heard his loud, cheerful, contagious belly laugh. Even in his last months of life, tired, weak and exhausted, you could hear the sound of him and his brothers laughing in the rehab. At one point the nurse had to tell them to try to tone it down.

He was an awesome story teller. Many family events had people all around him listening to him share experiences of his life. Even though most of the stories were already known, everyone listened like it was the first time. Nephi was a loved man and will be greatly missed by many!