Obituary: Hal W. Wheelwright

Hal W. Wheelwright passed away peacefully on October 15, 2021, at the age of 90 years old.

He was born October 11, 1931, to parents Wilford and Ora Engstrom Wheelwright. He was the youngest child in the family with four loving older sisters: Doris, Beth, Faye, and Joyce.

He was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was called to serve a mission to Sweden where he met the “love of his life” Gun (Gwen) Johansson. After returning from his mission, Gun traveled half-way across the world and on July 14, 1954, they were married in the Logan Temple. Soon afterwards they traveled to San Antonio, Texas where he served proudly in the U. S. Army and played the French horn in the United States military band. They moved back to Ogden and together created a wonderful home for their children. He was a High Priest and over the years served in many positions with the church.

He worked his entire life at Wheelwright Lumber Company; an Ogden business started by his grandfather Thomas Wheelwright and Solomon Wheelwright in 1908. He was president of Wheelwright Lumber Company from 1984-1998. He believed in hard work and honesty. He loved the lumber business and all the relationships he had with customers, employees, and vendors. He worked every day at the lumber company until this past August 2021 when his health began to fail.

His love was going up to his cabin on Bear Lake and working on little projects. There was never a project or a repair that was left undone. He also enjoyed visiting Sweden with his beautiful wife on many occasions.

On February 20, 2011, his dear wife passed away which left a huge hole in his heart that never truly healed. We take comfort knowing that he is with her now.

Hal is survived by his loving and devoted children, Kim (Michael) Rosky, Paul (Brenda) Wheelwright, Nancy (Hop) Hopkins, and Stephen (Rebecca) Wheelwright; nine grandchildren, all who lovingly called him by his Swedish name – Morfar (mother’s father) or Farfar (father’s father) and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings.

The family would like to offer special thanks to all the wonderful caregivers at McKay-Dee Hospital who provided compassionate care to Hal in his final days.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 23, 2021, at Myers Mortuary of Ogden, 845 Washington Blvd. Family will meet with friends for a viewing at the mortuary on Friday, October 22, 2021, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Saturday, prior to the service, from 1:00-1:45 p.m. Interment will be at Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1780 Combe Road, Ogden, Utah.

Source: Myers Mortuary & Cremation Services