William ("Bill") J. Christensen of Provo, Utah, passed away on January 9, 2024 at the Covington Senior Living facility in Orem, Utah shortly after suffering a stroke. He was 92 years of age.

Bill was born on July 13, 1931 in Tremonton, Utah, the son of Joseph William Christensen and Florence Johnson, but grew up in Ephraim, Utah with his older sister Thora. Bill had a typical childhood in the rural community of Ephraim, with hard work on the family farm but also the simple diversions available during the Depression and World War II. Building treehouses was a particular passion, using scrap lumber – and other materials such as slats from the picket fence surrounding his home – demonstrating early on that he had an exceptional aptitude for building, which he further developed by working with his father on local construction projects. Following his graduation from high school, Bill went on to study at Snow College, obtaining an associate's degree in 1951. He had considered serving a mission for his church, but the outbreak of the Korean War put a stop to such plans. Bill went on to attend Utah State Agricultural College (later Utah State University) for a year before he was drafted into the U.S. Army for two years.

Along with a number of other young men from Utah, he was sent to Fort Ord in California for basic training, with most of his cohort ending up being deployed to Korea. Fortunately, Bill was assigned to the base's Training Aids Shop, so instead of being sent to Korea he spent the next two years making models, cabinets and displays for the base's training exercises, including a flying saucer for a parade. Not surprisingly, he proved to be extremely proficient at this work, and his skills were so highly valued that his commander on at least two occasions managed to divert orders for his deployment to Korea.

Just before he left for his Army assignment at Fort Ord, Bill met a charming young woman named JoAnn Johansen on a blind date. They clicked almost immediately, and over the next two years, they maintained a long distance romance through almost daily letters and occasional visits home from California. Soon after Bill's return from the Army, they married at the Manti Temple and before long had their first son, Bryce. Moving to Provo, Utah, in 1955, Bill joined his father in constructing BYU's Heritage Halls dormitory complex, while also studying at BYU. He left BYU just shy of his degree to continue his career in home construction, and over the next ten years, added a second son, Brent, and three daughters, Annette, JoLynne and Florence. In 1961, the growing family moved to Grandview Hill where Bill constructed the home in which his children grew up.

After working with several home construction firms, Bill struck out on his own to become an independent builder, and immediately attracted a loyal following of appreciative clients. Not only did Bill produce high quality homes and home remodeling/improvement projects, but he also had an impressive ability to find or devise solutions for the most daunting construction challenges. Grandview Hill boasts literally dozens of homes that he either built or remodeled. Many of the homes of his children and grandchildren also feature examples of his extraordinary and innovative building skills. Bill was also a favorite of his children and grandchildren for the many pieces of expertly-crafted furniture, and clever toys and puzzles that he produced even after retirement.

Although Bill did not have the opportunity to serve a full-time mission, he was a man of deep religious faith and served as a Stake Missionary, a Counselor in the Stake Mission Presidency, a Counselor in several Elders Quorums, Ward Financial Clerk and Assistant in several High Priest Groups. He also served as a temple worker for over 20 years.

Bill's example of hard work, determination, honesty, service to others and talents blessed his family and posterity in many ways. They watched as he picked up hitchhikers in need of a ride, worked at church farm assignments, diligently served as a home teacher/ministering brother and faithfully fulfilled all of his church callings. He especially loved to greet people with a joke and leave them with a smile. Bill was always willing to help and serve in any way he could. He was a kind and gentle man who loved the Lord and his family.

Bill was preceded in death nearly 33 years ago by his wife, JoAnn, the love of his life, after almost 37 years of marriage. He was also predeceased by his sister Thora, eldest son Bryce, his second daughter JoLynne's husband Eric Vogel, and his eldest daughter Annette's son Mckay. He is survived by eldest son Bryce's wife Mary, son Brent and his wife Brenda, daughter Annette and her husband Robert, daughter JoLynne, and daughter Florence and her wife Jenny. He is also survived by nineteen grandchildren and 39 great grandchildren.

A special note of appreciation and gratitude to the staff of the Covington Senior Living facility for the attentive and compassionate care they provided to Bill for the final year and a half of his life.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 12:00 noon, with a viewing at 10:30 am, on Saturday, January 20, at the Grandview South Stake Center, 1122 Grand Avenue, Provo, Utah. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Programs .