John Wallace Boswell "Papa Wally" J. Wallace Boswell our dear father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather passed away Sunday, February 26th in the Payson hospital after suffering a stroke. He was 96 years of age. Wally was born September 29, 1909 in Nephi, Utah to John Henry and Mary Elizabeth Garrett Boswell. Wally married Edda Margaret Jones of Provo, Utah on March 31, 1933 in the Manti temple. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, mother and father, and eleven brothers and sisters. Wally started school at Brigham Young University in September of 1927. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting/Business Management in 1931. While attending BYU he became involved in the scouting program and earned 85 merit badges advancing to the Eagle rank. He was instrumental in organizing the Sea Scout Unit No. 5406, Sea Scout Ship Hanno. The Scouts made several trips to California for training and later were invited by the U.S. Navy to make a trip to Hawaii on a Navy vessel. He was awarded the Silver Beaver in 1963 by the Utah National Parks Council following almost 50 years of service to scouting. Wally worked for Provo Foundry and Machine until 1942 when he was hired as the third employee of the newly opened United States Steel, Geneva Works. In 1961, he was transferred to Lander, Wyoming where he worked at the Atlantic City Iron Ore mine for U.S. Steel Corporation. In 1965, he was transferred back to Geneva in Orem and retired in 1970. He set an example of service in the Church and the community. Wally served as President of the Utah Lake Lions Club. He was always active in the LDS Church serving in a variety of positions. He served as Bishop of the Provo 4th Ward for eight years and as a counselor in the Wind River Wyoming Stake Presidency. He was still serving as a Home Teacher in his 96th year. In May of 1971, President Harold B. Lee called Wally as the first Recorder of the Provo, Utah Temple. This began 35 years of dedicated service as Temple Recorder and later 2nd Counselor in the Temple Presidency. He was an active sealer until April 2005. He performed marriage ordinances for 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren in various temples. He is survived by his three children: Margo (Paul) Trotter of Salem, Dana Kaye (Lee) Ellertson of Springville and John W. (Nancy Nielsen) Boswell of Sandy. He leaves 15 grandchildren, 61 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren, all who cherish and honor this kind, loving and gentle man. He was a wonderful role model and mentor for his family. His posterity will remember his wisdom and counsel in making many of life's decisions. He always showered his family with unconditional love. Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 2, 2006, at the Oak Hills Stake Center, 925 East N. Temple Drive, Provo at 11:00 a.m. Friends may call at the Oak Hills Stake Center on Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Thursday morning at the Stake Center from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Interment, Provo City Cemetery.
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