Shirley Ann Casper

With profound reverence, we humbly announce the passing of Shirley Ann Casper, 91, of Mapleton, Utah. Shirley passed away peacefully in her home, with her family by her side, in accordance with her wishes.

Shirley Ann Franklin was born on October 28, 1934, to Dorothy Ann Kidder and Lindsey Harvey Franklin in Mount Vernon, Washington. From a very young age, Shirley was outgoing, precocious, incredibly intelligent, and a loving daughter to her mother. According to her mother, Shirley was born with an “angelic voice and nearly perfect pitch,” as demonstrated by her solo performance of “Away in a Manger” in the church choir at the age of 3. Shirley was an astute student, always earning the highest marks. She was a leader in all she did, and this was evident even in her early years in the Camp Fire Girls. If one of the other Blue Birds sold one wagon of tulips, you could count on Shirley to sell at least five. She always reached for the stars and never compromised her ideals. As a young girl, before moving to San Diego, Shirley would accompany her father to Washington State football and basketball games. She was always a sports enthusiast, and almost nothing brought her more happiness than watching her beloved BYU Cougars.

Shirley’s mother married the love of her life in Shirley’s early teen years. This brought Shirley, her mother, and Albertus Samuel Rader on a grand adventure to San Diego. They enjoyed many beautiful moments together, but nothing brought Shirley more joy than when her mother gave her two siblings. She adored her baby brother and sister. Once again, in high school, Shirley set the standard for excellence. She was the editor of the high school yearbook, sang in the choir, and graduated near the top of her class.

At her freshman homecoming football game, a young man a few bleachers back noticed her and made a small wish in his heart that he would find her at the homecoming dance later that evening. Great fortune smiled upon them that night, and, as the DJ played “Blue Moon,” Shirley and her dance partner, William “Billy” Earl Casper, Jr., realized they had just met the love of their lives. The week she graduated from high school, and, just a few days after he turned 21, they walked down the aisle toward the beginning of their union and the rest of their lives.

Billy and Shirley had lofty goals and little in the world besides big dreams. After Billy’s time in the Navy and Shirley’s graduation from high school, they bought a Spartan trailer, packed away all their belongings, and hit the road to make their dreams come true — his, to become a professional golfer, and hers, to be a wife and mother. To say they both once again achieved the highest marks would be an understatement. Together, Shirley and Billy had 11 children, 37 grandchildren, and 41 great-grandchildren. Beyond that, nearly every child brought home a friend who needed comfort, food, or shelter at one point or another, and the Casper family home was always open. With that many children, you might think that would be enough — but not for Shirley. She could have trademarked the phrase “the more the merrier.”

Even with an incredibly full home life for Shirley and a demanding professional life for Billy, charity work and personal passions never dimmed. Shirley took on the role of director in her church’s production of All Because of Elizabeth, led various school PTAs, and, with Billy, created a charity golf tournament that served the youth in the area of their childhoods. She even fulfilled one of her lifelong dreams at the age of 90 by singing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

It was, after all, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir that filled Shirley with the inspiration to make the life-changing decision to be baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On January 1, 1966, she and Billy, along with their three oldest children, were baptized, and they never looked back. A year after their baptism, they were sealed together in the Salt Lake Temple for Time and all Eternity. Both Shirley and Billy, true to form, immersed themselves in the service and charity work of their church, and this brought many wonderful people into their lives.

Shirley lived an incredibly beautiful life. This, however, was in no way, shape, or form by luck or chance. Her rich and full life was the dream she had envisioned all along.

Shirley is preceded in death by her beloved husband; mother; father; stepfather, son, William Lindsey Casper (Karen); and great granddaughter, Sadie Rose Henrie. She is survived by her sister, Margaret; brother, John; and her children: Linda Henrie (Kim), Robert Casper (Kelly), Byron Casper, Jennifer Carpenter (John), Judith Fisher (Jack), Charlie Casper, David Casper, Julia Casper Cervantez (Johnny), Sarah Casper (Michael), and Thomas Casper.

Funeral Services are scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM  at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel at 1068 South 1600 West, Mapleton, Utah. A viewing will be held from 9:30 - 10:30 AM prior to the funeral.