Walter Hyrum Spicer

 

Walter Hyrum Spicer was born November 5, 1944, and passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours of January 7, 2024. He fought a hard battle on hospice care at home, with his nurse calling him her miracle patient. Walt was number 3 of 4 children and was born in Pocatello Idaho. He Attended Pocatello High where he was voted by his graduating class as having the best smile in school. He received his masters in education at the University of Utah before graduating from Brigham Young University. He played 2nd base in baseball for BYU. He was invited to try out for the Philadelphia Phillies but decided to go on a mission instead. He served an LDS mission in parts of northern Minnesota and Winnipeg Canada. He returned home from his mission, and was promptly drafted to the military to fight in the Vietnam war. After returning from war, he taught at Rolling Meadows Elementary, where he met the love of his life Shanna Spicer, a fellow teacher, and in 1973 they were married in the Salt Lake City Temple together, and in April of last year they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary of 50 years. He taught 4th Grade at Whittier Elementary for 30 years. He served 20 years in the army reserve, where he learned and nurtured his skill and love for physical fitness. He graduated Ranger school which He described as “the most difficult training the army has to offer."  Walt was remembered by his family for his love of chocolate, sports, attending BYU football games with the family, coaching and refereeing basketball, umpiring softball games in the community where he lived.  He loved taking his family on road trips, hikes, and camping all over Southern Utah, visiting the national parks, and Jackson Hole Wyoming, where he had fond memories of his grandparents. He also loved taking military flights with his wife to Guam, Hawaii, and other exotic locations, and even in the last week of his life he was trying to figure out a way to get on a military flight for another final adventure. Walt deeply loved his wife and children and his four grandchildren, seeing them smile brought him immense joy. He was a playful father, grandfather, and husband.  Walt had a keen sense of humor, enjoyed good jokes, found the random humor in life, and had the biggest infectious laugh. He never complained about anything ever. He was remembered for his gentle, compassionate nature, his angelic ethereal sky-blue eyes and his joyful temperament. His authentic kindness to others was freely given to all who had the pleasure of knowing him.  He is survived by his brother Stan, his wife Shanna, His sons: David, Johnathon, Mark, Matthew, and daughter Karen, and grandchildren Jessica, Sage, Bodhi, and Jasmine. Preceded in death by his father, Hyrum and mother Jean, his sister Geri, his brother John and his eldest son, Tim. 
  Memorial will be held at the Taylorsville 10th ward, 1950 west 5000 south, on Friday Jan 12.  Viewing begins at 10:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. Funeral services begin at 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m. The burial will take place at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park at 1:30 p.m. 3401 S Highland Dr.