Billie Jean Wernli

Billie Jean Jackson Wernli 1929 ~ 2008 Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend,Billie Jean Jackson Wernli, passed away after a valiant struggle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. She was born to Curtis Jackson and Annie Orvin Jackson on February 20, 1929, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She married John H. Wernli on March 2, 1946. They were blessed with eight children, 26 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren. Mom grew up in Riverton and Salt Lake City, and attended Granite High School. Her large family of brothers and sisters tried to stay close over the years and she was the last of her siblings to pass away. She was a wonderful wife to her husband, John, trying hard to make him happy and his life easier as he worked hard with the business, Wernli, Inc. Mom was our hero, always being a calming influence on all of us. She tried to keep the peace at all costs, except at those times when she could be a person to be dealt with. In times of frustration the worst thing she could say was "Oh, nuts!". She supported her family in times of fun, and of sorrow. We will never forget what a wonderful hostess and cook she was. With all the children and grandchildren she had, she still tried so hard to be at birthdays and special occasions for all of us. The summers at Flaming Gorge, boating and playing are favorite memories to friends and family. None of us can forget how hard she could work and what she could get the rest of us to do when she made up her mind. She was a wonderful homemaker and had a beautiful home. She always had a wonderful sense of style and knew how to dress and act, her family is so proud of her. Billie was remarkable in many ways, she loved to ballroom dance and learned to oil paint later in life. Billie had a wonderful talent that she shared with her family. She loved to play games and was very competitive. She loved to win at all costs! Billie was a scouting leader in her ward and served as PTA President at Millcreek Jr. High. She was active in the LDS Church serving faithfully in many callings. Billie also served in the Bountiful LDS Temple until her health wouldn't permit her to do so any longer. Survivors are daughter-in-law Kristie, Mike and Lucy, Dave and Kathy, Pat Christensen (Rick), Shawn Smith (Stephen), Bill and Kari, Rob and Linda, and Ron and Susie. Preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Percy, Curt, Rhoda, Beth, Lois, and Dorothy; husband John, son John Jr. and grandson Curtis Wernli. The family is very grateful to the doctors and special people who took care of mom during her illness. Special thanks to Don at Lakeview Hospital who was so good to her and the wonderful care she received at Avalon Care Center. The family wants to thank her daughter Shawn and her husband Stephen and their children who took care of her at the family home the last couple of years continuing the family traditions as Mom's health failed. We will honor her at a funeral service at 12 noon on Friday, Sept. 5, 2008 at the Oak Hills Ward Chapel, 455 S. 1200 E., Bountiful, Utah. Friends and family may call Thurs. evening from 6-8 p.m. at Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 North Main, and Friday morning 10:30-11:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment-Lakeview Cemetery. Online guestbook at www.russonmortuary.com