William Russell Faris

Our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, William Russell Faris passed away peacefully on Sept. 23 at the age of 78.
Bill was born in Caldwell, ID, on April 24, 1944 to Helen (Church) Faris and Russell S. Faris. Bill received his degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Utah, and he spent most of his 41-year career working for Rockwell International & Boeing. Along with his wife, Gloria (Meppen) Faris, Bill raised two children, William Faris Jr. and Deborah (Faris) Willier.
Bill was nearly two years old when he met his father due to Rusty’s service in the US Navy during WWII. Upon return from service, Rusty continued his work as a manager at a department store, where the family lived in Jerome, ID, from 1947 to 1957. Bill’s sister, Barbara (Faris) Mecham still resides in Jerome. Rusty’s job then moved the family to Boise from 1957 to 1960, and then to Idaho Falls in 1960, where Bill completed high school and first met Gloria at a party.
While in Jerome, Bill was involved with Boy Scouts, where he attained the rank of Life Scout. One of his favorite childhood memories was a three-week trip by train to Valley Forge for the National Boy Scout Jamboree.
In 1962, Bill began studying electrical engineering at the University of Utah. Meanwhile, Gloria and her family had also moved to Salt Lake City. Bill and Gloria began dating in 1965. At about that same time, Bill was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, which was unfortunately the first of several bouts of cancer throughout Bill’s life. Shortly after completion of his bachelor’s degree in 1966, Bill began working at Hill Air Force Base and continued to do so while earning his Master’s Degree. After completing his degree in 1970, Bill & Gloria married on June 17, 1972, at First Presbyterian Church in Salt Lake.
Bill began working on the Minuteman ICBM missile system as a military contractor in 1971. In 1984, he started working for Rockwell International which later became Boeing. He retired in 2007 having spent most of career on missile technology.
Bill and Gloria welcomed son, Will, to the world in 1974, and daughter, Debbie, in 1978. Bill shared his love of the outdoors with his kids. The family enjoyed many happy camping trips in the Uintas and visiting National Parks in Utah and throughout the West. Bill also loved fishing, bird hunting, photography, astronomy, and woodworking. Bill raised three Labrador Retrievers for hunting and also enjoyed terriers later in life.
Bill was involved with the Elks Club for more than 40 years, including being his lodge’s Exalted Ruler in 1983-84. Bill also enjoyed the nostalgia of railroads and locomotives, and many family trips centered around trains. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of the history and engineering of railroads. One of his favorite destinations was in Durango, Colorado, to ride the historic mining train through the San Juan mountains to Silverton. Additionally, Bill and Gloria both loved their cruise to Alaska in 2009.
Bill also liked reading books and his personal library rivals the best of them. He studied a variety of topics, including US history, science, and railroads. When he was not reading, Bill also enjoyed puzzles and games, always keeping his mind sharp. Bill shared his love of knowledge with his granddaughters, encouraging their interest in astronomy, space, and science.
Bill was preceded in death by his father, Rusty, and mother, Helen. Bill is survived by his loving wife Gloria, children Will and Debbie, and granddaughters Ashley and Laine, sister Barbara, sister-in law Elaine, brother-in-law Michael, and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Oct 1, 11:00am at Cottonwood Presbyterian Church, 1580 E. Vine St. (6100 South), Murray.