Wilford Cornell Clyde, 82, prominent contractor, community leader, and devoted husband, father and grandfather, died March 18, 1997 at Utah Valley Hospital.
He was born July 9, 1914 in Springville, Utah, to Wilford Woodruff and Henrietta Palfreyman Clyde. He married Edna Thornock, April 20, 1933 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple, December 13, 1951.Cornell spent most of his early years in Storrs, Utah, where he learned from his father hard work ethics. At 13, he worked on his first construction project. By 21, he was working as a construction superintendent. He attended public schools in Springville and studied engineering at Utah State University and the University of Utah. He was president and chairman of the board of W.W. Clyde and Co., where he was instrumental in the development of major portions of Utah's highways and road systems and assisted in a joint venture during the construction of the LDS Church office building and ZCMI Center. Cornell was president and vice-president of the Associated General Contractors Utah Chapter and recipient of the Eric Ryberg Award from the same organization. He was co-founder and president of the First Security State Bank of Springville, and was later a member of the First Security Bank of Utah advisory board. He served on the board of directors of: Riverside Country Club, Geneva Rock Products Co., Utah Service, Inc., Beehive Insurance, and the Red Cross. An original member of the Teamsters Trust Fund, he devoted hundreds of hours to the construction industry during labor negotiations. He served on various councils and volunteered time to the Boy Scouts of America. He was active in the LDS Church and served his faith and community in numerous capacities.
An avid gardener, famous for his rose gardens and begonias, he loved traveling, spending winters in Hawaii, golfing, and attending BYU athletic events. His greatest devotions in life were his wife, children, and grandchildren, all of whom he adored.
He is survived by his wife, Edna Thornock Clyde, and two children: Carma and her husband, Kenneth Russell, Salt Lake City; Richard and his wife, Patricia, Orem; 11 grandchildren: Randy Russell, Debra Russell Davis (Matt), Andrea Weidemann (Donald), Julie Bult (Scott), David Russell (Kelly), Bryan Russell, Jeffery Clyde (Cheryl), Lisa Bunker (Steve), Laurie Schaefer (Mark), Melanie Bitters (Troy), Matthew Clyde and 21 great- grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, William R. Clyde (Hazel), Springville, and sisters: Ila Cook (Vernon), Salt Lake City; Carol Salisbury (David), Salt Lake City; and Louise Gammell (Blake), Springville. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilford and Henrietta Clyde, his stepmother, Jenny Clyde and a brother, Blaine Palfreyman Clyde.
Funeral services will be held Sat, March 22, 1997 at 12 Noon, in the Springville Stake Center, 245 South 600 East, Springville, UT. The family will receive friends Friday, March 21, 1997 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 South, Springville, and Sat at the church from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Interment will take place at the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.
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