William Elden Winn

William Elden Winn, 70, passed away on November 15, 2025.

Our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend William Elden Winn passed away on November 15, 2025, at age 70. Bill fought a determined and dignified eight-year battle with Neuroendocrine cancer.

Bill was born on November 1, 1955, in Pocatello, Idaho to LaVell Bryce Winn and Elma Ruth Hill and was the only son nestled among five sisters. He felt genuinely blessed to grow up in Pocatello- a small town conducive to making men of little boys, where he always felt safe and enjoyed many of the opportunities to grow in a happy environment. Bill attended Lewis and Clark Elementary, Alameda Junior High and graduated from Pocatello High School’s class of ’74. Bill amplified the strong mind and body given him, competing in sports throughout his school years.

After completing his freshman year at Idaho State University, Bill accepted the call from Spencer W. Kimball to serve a two-year mission in the Philippines Manila Mission. He thoroughly enjoyed his service to the Filipino people and returned many times to help with humanitarian efforts. Following the completion of his mission, Bill continued his education by enrolling in the fall semester (1977) at Idaho State University. At the conclusion of the semester, Bill informed his parents that his future wife did not live in Pocatello and that he was transferring to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

Through a providential blind date, he found the woman that would shape his life in the most positive ways over the next 48 years. Paula Cantwell of Beaverton, Oregon, would be the object of his adoration and love. Bill and Paula were sealed for time and all eternity on December 19, 1978, in the Salt Lake City temple completely undaunted by the 12 inches of snow that fell through the previous night.

Paula graduated from BYU with a degree in Early Childhood Education and had secured a teaching position at Chubbuck Elementary. Bill and Paula moved to Pocatello to finish his education at Idaho State. Bill graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance in 1981- the same year ISU won the football national championship. Bill was employed at Pocatello Supply, Inc. as a customer service representative and found outside sales to be the perfect fit. Over time, Bill bought out all the owners of Pocatello Supply, changed the name to Advanced Industrial Supply and expanded its footprint to the Boise valley. He sold the company in 2015 and fully retired in 2022.

Bill and Paula have two wonderful sons who have become exceptional husbands, fathers, and providers. Bryce William was born in 1981, and Jonathan James came 3-1/2 years later in 1985. Bill truly loved being a dad to his boys. Countless hours were spent throwing and catching whatever ball was in season. There were ski trips and golf outings along with a “roller coaster” tour in Georgia and Florida.

Bill was so grateful to welcome two wonderful women into the family. First Paige and then Courtney. Later, they blessed Bill and Paula with 4 precious grandchildren: Grace, Nora, Landon and Tanner. He loved teasing, hugging and vacationing with them. His favorite name was that of “Papa”.

Bill was a faithful, active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to the very end. He was always willing to serve in any capacity that he was called to do. His passion was teaching the Gospel. There was never a time when Bill did not have a book to read, whether it was a history book or the scriptures, and the legacy of his studies is his extensive home library.

Once the children were established, Bill and Paula, along with their life long, dear friends, The Lunts and Johansons, got the travel bug. Bill and Paula visited 45 different countries on 6 continents. Bill engaged himself with as many people as he could in his travels. It could have been the cab driver from Bangladesh or a Chinese Uyghur tour guide. Bill believed his only artistic outlet was his photography and took the opportunity to produce a beautiful gallery of canvas photos of iconic places in the world.

Bill had a reputation of being a tease. Early in life it was his sisters and later Paula’s sister Vickie and cousin Kathy. He found humor in every aspect of life. He always stayed upbeat even with stage four cancer. People would ask, “how are you?”, he would reply, “Never better, thank you for asking”. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He and Paula want to thank their family, friends, Ward, Stake, and neighbors for the outpouring of love and support throughout this journey. May God bless each of you for being such an important part of the Winn Family! We also express gratitude for the wonderful caretakers from Advanced Home Health (particularly Fatima, his nurse) and Heritage Hospice. The tender loving care they gave was above and beyond what was required. We will be forever grateful!

Bill is survived by his wife Paula, sons Bryce (Courtney), Jon (Paige), grandchildren Grace, Nora, Landon and Tanner, sisters Jane, Sandra (Oran), Susan (Mark), Bonnie (Brian) and Kelly as well as Paula’s siblings, Vickie(Alp), Marci(Morris) and Jim(Laura).

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, LaVell and Elma Winn, in-laws Clair and Margery Cantwell, brother-in-law Morris Taylor and nephew Jeff Crow. 

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2925 Michelle Street, Pocatello, ID. Visitations will be from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, November 28 at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W Chubbuck Road, Chubbuck, ID and prior to the service on Saturday at the church, beginning at 10:00 am. A graveside service will be held at the Smithfield City Cemetery, 300 E Center Street, Smithfield, UT.

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