William Jay Hafen

1924 ~ 2018
Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and uncle, William Jay Hafen ("Bill"), peacefully passed away surrounded by his wife and children on December 31, 2018 in Highland, Utah. He was 94 years of age. He was born in Mt. Pleasant, Utah on February 24, 1924 - the son of Willis Jay and Ruby Larsen Hafen. He had wonderful memories of growing up in Mt. Pleasant with his sister, Mary, and brother, Dave.
Bill met his sweetheart, Norma, on a blind date and they were married on May 1, 1964 in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Los Angeles Temple. They enjoyed celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in 2014.
Bill served in the 11th Airborne Division as a paratrooper during World War II and he was also a member of this division's band. He loved his country and was honored to have been able to serve in the military. Bill initially attended Snow College where he played on their football team. He then went on to attend Brigham Young University, Indiana University, and the University of Utah - receiving his Bachelor, Master, and PhD degrees. He loved being a teacher! After a few years teaching in public elementary schools in Utah and Washington, he became a professor at Brigham Young University, where he taught Recreation Management for 36 years. While at BYU, he also served in administrative roles including Chair of the Recreation Department for several years.
Bill was dedicated to the gospel of Jesus Christ and was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout his life, serving faithfully in various callings. Bill was the ultimate home teacher and was always looking out for his family, neighbors, and friends! After retiring from BYU, Bill and Norma were service missionaries for the Church, serving as ushers for events at the Salt Lake Temple Square Tabernacle and Conference Center for thirteen years. He referred often to that experience as one of the highlights of his life - he loved sharing the gospel and talking with people visiting there from all over the world. He also loved the time he spent serving as a temple worker.
Bill's most favorite times involved doing things with his family - Bill and Norma loved participating in activities and trips with their children and grandchildren. They also enjoyed taking several cruises and other vacations with lifelong friends. Bill's hobbies included music (playing the trombone & singing), camping, woodworking, reading, running, and participating in many sports including tennis, racquetball, boating, and snow skiing. He continued into his 92nd year to ride his bike and participate in a bowling league with Norma before Alzheimer's impacted his ability to do so. Bill was a great example of how to live life - no regrets and lived to the fullest!
We love you and will miss you greatly until we meet again!
Bill is survived by his wife (Norma); daughters: Sherri Hafen, Susan (John) Bushman; sons: Steve (Brooke) Hafen, Scott Hafen; his brother: David (Carolyn) Hafen; thirteen grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held on Friday, January 11, 2019 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home (646 E. 800 N., Orem, UT). A second viewing will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2019 from 9:30 - 10:30 am at the Cherry Hill Stake Center (1700 S. 400 E., Orem, UT), with the funeral following at 11:00 am. Interment will be in Orem City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.WalkerSanderson.com
We'd like to thank his doctor, nurses, and the CNAs at Courtyard at Jamestown and Highland Glen, along with those from Hospice, who so kindly cared for him throughout the last year and a half. He greatly enjoyed his associations with them and others he met while living there.