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William Hartley Obituary
Father, husband, and historian William G. Hartley died on April 10th after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 76. Bill was best known for his groundbreaking books on Mormon history, articles in LDS church magazines and scholarly publications, and appearances in the popular KSL television documentary series History of the Saints, for which he served as Consulting Historian.
Bill had been part of the LDS Church Historical Department, where he directed the oral history program. He was an associate professor of history at Brigham Young University and was director of its Family History and Genealogy Research Services Center. He was a president of the Mormon History Association, the founding president of the Mormon Trails Association, was awarded the Leonard J. Arrington Award for a lifetime of distinguished contributions to Mormon history, and has had two annual research prizes named in his honor. He was a prolific writer who authored fifteen books, more than 120 articles, and co-edited three volumes of the Joseph Smith Papers. He received five best book awards and four best article awards from professional associations. He had a true love and passion for church history.
Bill was raised in Butte, Montana and the San Francisco Bay Area. He served an LDS mission to the Eastern States and Cumorah missions, received his B.A. and Master's Degrees from Brigham Young University, and did his doctoral work at Washington State University. He was Bishop of the Sandy Willow Canyon 2nd Ward from 1985-1990.
He married Linda Lee Perry in the Oakland LDS Temple in 1965. He is survived by Linda and their six children: Julie (Ted Moore) of Grantsville, UT; Jeffrey (Jodi Piner) of Alpine, UT; Scott (Sheree Lewis) of Riverton, UT; Cindy (Matthew Harris) of Castle Rock, CO; Christie (Johnathon Knapton) of Colorado Springs, CO; and Gregory (soon to be married to Sandy Reno) of Salt Lake City; by 15 grandchildren; and by his brothers Charles in Montana and Richard and James in Utah. He was preceded in death by his parents, Norma Miner Hartley Haymond and Charles Alton Hartley; his sisters, Raylene and Mary; and his brother Bryan.
Funeral Services will be held Monday, April 16, at 12:00 Noon at the Saratoga Springs 3rd Ward, 49 East Centennial Blvd., Saratoga Springs, Utah, where Viewings will be held Sunday, April 15th, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and prior to Services on Monday from 10:45 to 11:45 am. Interment in Springville Evergreen Cemetery, 1997 South 400 East, Springville, Utah.
Special thanks to Dr. Neeraj Agarwal, MD, and Clinic 2B, Huntsman Cancer Institute and FirstChoice Home Health and Hospice for their outstanding care of Bill.
Funeral Directors: Utah Valley Mortuary. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.uvfuneral.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Hartley
Sponsored by Utah Valley Mortuary.
George Johnson
August 17, 2025
Mission companion, Ithaca, New York, 1962. I have never forgotten his goodness.
Margaret "Beth" Koostra
July 31, 2021
I met Mr. Hartley back in the 1980's when he came to my library in Macon, MS to serve as a scholar for a humanities grant I had received. I "Googled" him today and learned of his death. He was a fine person. So sorry.
May 9, 2018
It was so long ago when you lived in Pullman, Washington. After Bill left for the Church History Dept., I never missed reading any of his articles. My thoughts are with you.
Linda Myers
Pullman, Washington
David Crockett
April 16, 2018
I was thrilled several years ago when Bill moved into my neighborhood. He was one of my heros and became a mentor for our mutual love of the Mormon Trail and its history. I'll miss him but have many of his books on my shelf.
Ross Peterson
April 16, 2018
Bill is a great man with a huge passion for the historical truth. We appreciated his genuine desire to make the world a better place by helping everyone understand their roots. HIs enthusiasm for teaching history knew no bounds. We are especially blessed by knowing Julie and Ted, who have taken his love of learning to a new level. As Bill would have us do, write down or record your memories so the next generation will know they follow in the footsteps of greatness.
Ross Peterson
Stephanie Brakebill
April 15, 2018
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Mel Bashore
April 14, 2018
I first met Bill in 1975 when I began working in the Historical Department. He had a systematic way of researching and writing, delving into each subject with incisive thoroughness. Our paths crossed with more frequency when he began investigating the Mormon Trail. I cherish the memories. He was such a good and kind person.
Bobbi Roberts
April 14, 2018
So many people come into your life...few like Bill Hartley. He was my home teacher for many years. What a great man and example! He always came with a wonderful teaching message and game to play with my young son...pick up sticks was a favorite. I still remember his story about the boy who could sleep when the wind blew. During a difficult time in my life he was "Christ like".
Bruce Van Orden
April 14, 2018
Bill was a great colleague in the history profession. More significantly, he was a true Saint. His example as a scholar/saint is truly impressive. God bless his family until they meet again!
April 14, 2018
Heartfelt condolences, from your Canadian family. Joan Pitcher Morris and family
April 13, 2018
What a great man! We haven't seen Bill in years but I can still hear his voice. Used to love being in Sunday School with him. Thoughts and prayers are being send your way. Wade & Chris Stolworthy
Fenton and ReNae Larsen
April 13, 2018
Thinking of you at this time. Many memories of years past. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Fenton and ReNae Larsen
Brandon Plewe
April 13, 2018
Bill was a great example of being both faithful and academically rigorous. His work underpins much of my own research, and I wish he was still around to share ideas.
Terry Latey
April 12, 2018
Two years ago he spoke and lead a panel discussion at a symposium held during Grand Encampment celebration, entitled, "Remembering Our Pioneer Heritage" held in Council Bluffs, Iowa. His knowledge of the history of the Latter-day Saints seemed unlimited, his kindness in sharing that knowledge unbounded. He will be very much missed. I'm sure he was greeted by grateful thousands who welcomed him home.
David Swenson
April 12, 2018
Dear Linda and family,
I first contacted Bill after I stumbled across an individual in my great grandfather's journal from 1901 named Samuel D. Chambers. Sam was one of the early black members and pioneers of the Church. Bill had already come across Sam in his Church History research projects and written an article about him. We shared notes and became instant friends. We have both put flowers on Sam's grave for 35 years and made contact and had reunions with Sam Chambers descendants.
He brought Sam Chambers and his remarkable story to life. Adding this to his other distinguished list of accomplishments and contributions to LDS Church History makes him a hero to me. The Church has lost a great historian. He will now get to meet and associate with those in history who he loved, wrote about, and had such a passion to bring to life and to understand and know.
My wife and I are sad that we cannot attend the funeral as we are on the island of Maui serving as Ward Missionaries for another month.
Peace be with you. Our love and best wishes.
David K. Swenson
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