Bill Bean

1947 - 2023

Bill G Bean

1947 ~ 2023

Our beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather and uncle, Bill G Bean of Salt Lake City, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2023 with his family by his side, after a year of declining health. Bill was born on December 22, 1947 to Glenn Cluff Bean and Wilma Sumner Bean in Rexburg, Idaho were he spent his youth. Bill graduated from Madison High School. He went on to Utah State University, graduating with a B.S. degree in Physical Education (Athletic Training) in 1971. Proudly affiliating with the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity that gave him lifelong friends. He received his M.S. degree in Physical Education (Sports Medicine) from the University of Utah in 1978. Bill later decided to pursue a B.S degree in Physical Therapy (1986) from the University of Utah. In college, Bill joined ROTC. When he graduated, he went into the Army as a Medical Service Corps Officer at Fort Ord, CA. During this time he was sent to Germany for REFORGER Exercises. He was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant. Bill started his Athletic Training career at Washington State University. When he left WSU, he became the Athletic Trainer for the Utah Stars, an American Basketball Association Team. When the Stars folded, Bill spent the remainder of his career as the Director of Sports Medicine (Head Athletic Trainer) in the Athletic Department at the University of Utah. Bill was a true Ute through and through. He loved working with the athletes and student trainers. He thoroughly enjoyed teaching and sharing his knowledge with his students. Bill taught by example. He was always positive, met challenges head on and showed compassion and concern for others. He was always respectful. His great sense of humor, infectious laugh and ability to have fun will be greatly missed by everyone who knew this wonderful and special man. He made an impression on his students and those who worked along side of him. He was a trusted advisor and many looked up to him. Many of his students became his lifelong friends. Bill had a passion for Sports Medicine and was delighted and proud when his son, Justin, followed in his footsteps. Bill retired from the U of U in 2008 after 32 years. Bill met the love of his life, Nancy Pickett, shortly after he returned from Lake Placid where he was the Athletic Trainer for the US Nordic Ski Team for the 1980 Winter Olympics. Bill and Nancy were married on July 12, 1984. Bill adored Nancy and she him, calling her his Nancy girl. They had an amazing partnership and marriage. They cultivated friendships in Salt Lake and around the world where they adventured. They loved to travel. When Nancy was mobilized to Desert Storm in 1990, Bill became Mr. Mom to Brandon who had just turned a year old. Bill was a wonderful Dad and role model to his two sons, Brandon and Justin. They had a very close relationship. When Brandon married Jeslynn, he welcomed her into the family. And shortly later a beautiful granddaughter joined our family and filled him with joy. His family were constant sources of pride and delight. Bill loved all sports. In his younger years, he was an avid racketball player, winning some competitions. Bill enjoyed mountain biking with his wife and friends (before bikes had shocks on them!). He owned a Laser sailboat and loved sailing with Nancy and later the boys. Bill loved fly fishing so much, he had a room dedicated to tying his own flies. He spent endless hours tying flies and building several fly rods. His passion was taking the boys fishing. He also enjoyed golfing with his sons and friends. Bill loved to ski at Snowbird. He especially loved skiing with his family. Nancy and the boys have many fond memories of fishing, golfing, camping in their tent trailer and skiing with Dad.

Bill is survived by his wife Nancy, his son Brandon (Jeslynn), his son Justin and granddaughter Baylor Rose. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Sherrie Bean Thomas and her husband Scott Thomas. There will be a private graveside service for immediate family at Mt Olivet Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a Memorial Fund has been set up to honor Bill's legacy. This Fund will be used to recognize Athletic Trainer's and the work they provide in honor of what Bill loved and dedicated so much of his life. This can be done through Bill Bean Memorial Fund Link: https://ugive.app.utah.edu/designation/221?specialInstructions=In%20honor%20and%20memory%20of%20Bill%20Bean%20to%20support%20Utah%20Athletics%20Training,%20Appeal%20Code:%2057901 by sending donations to the Bill Bean Memorial Fund at the University of Utah Crimson Club, 1825 South Campus Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112

LOVED BY ALL MISSED BY EVERYONE