William "Bill" H. Berger Obituary (1919 - 2009)

“Bill” William H. Berger passed away on June 20, 2009 due to complications of advanced age. He was born Sept. 25, 1919 in Murray, Utah to Gottlieb Richard and Anna Marie Mell Berger. Raised on the family farm in Murray, he learned to garden and raise animals. He attended Murray City Schools and excelled at fast pitch softball, pitching his team to the Murray City Championship. He married his childhood sweetheart, Mabel Healy, in July 1941 and their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. Mabel preceded him in death on April 3, 1991. He was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, son David Val Berger, and his sisters Margurite and June. Bill served honorably in the US Army serving from 1941-46 in Washington, California, Texas and Europe (mainly in Berlin, Germany ). At the end of his service he was stationed in Potsdam, Germany during the conference that ended the war in Europe. He returned home to Utah and worked as a switchman on the Union Pacific Railroad. He was the State United Transportation Union representative for many years, and enjoyed serving in that position. The family settled in Midvale, Utah in 1949 where he resided until his death. He loved his community and enjoyed working with the Little League Association and the great boys he coached. He still remains friends with many of them. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day. He served in many callings including Ward Membership clerk, Sunday School President, and Men's Softball coach. Bill and Mabel were in the first group of temple workers to serve in the Jordan River Temple, a calling that they both enjoyed. After Mabel passed away he still found time to serve the church on the Midvale, Utah Stake High Council, and as a Family History counselor. A favorite calling of his was as a Service Missionary taking care of the multi-stake Starpoint Lodge and property along with his best friend, Bud. They took care of the Stake property during the summer and enjoyed fishing, if they had time. They made many friends in the small town of Scofield, UT. Bill loved his family and enjoyed gathering them together for summer camp-outs and fishing trips. He enjoyed teaching many of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren how to fish. He loved to travel and took his family on several great vacations each year. He enjoyed driving across our country and taught his children about navigation and how to read maps during the trips. After their children were grown, Bill and Mabel took their 5th wheel on many camping trips and enjoyed other trips to Las Vegas, California, St. George, Hawaii and Florida. Bill is survived by his children, Marianne (Frank) Jensen, Richard (Sheila) and James (Elly); sister, Mary Burrell; 14 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; 47 nieces and nephews. Special appreciation to the Sandy Regional, Draper Rehab and Superior Home Care for the kind care he received. A viewing will be Thursday, June 25, from 6-8 pm at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary in Murray . Funeral services will be Friday, June 26, 11 am, at Midvale 5th Ward, 8171 S Jackson St., with a viewing prior at 10 am. Interment: Murray City Cemetery.