William Dean Lindsay

March 15, 1932 - July 27, 2020

William Dean Lindsay (“Dean”), beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, left this world peacefully while surrounded by family on July 27, 2020, after honorably completing an exceptional and prosperous 88-year mortal journey. He blessed many lives along the way and truly made this world a better place. Dean was born in Eden, Utah, on March 15, 1932, to noble parents, David Colon Lindsay and Alice Vivian Cheney. He loved the simplicity of his early life on the Lindsay farm nestled in the beautiful Ogden valley. He learned to work hard on the farm, but also found time to pursue activities he enjoyed, such as hunting in the foothills surrounding Pineview Reservoir and fishing in nearby branches of the Ogden river. Dean excelled in school and participated in many extracurricular activities, including choir, theater, and student government. However, Dean’s true passion was sports. Dean discovered from a young age that he was a natural athlete given his innate strength and large stature. He participated in every available sport and always excelled. He became known as a formidable opponent when he, with great ease, literally knocked out his opponents in boxing and football matches, much to his coaches’ delight—and his opponents’ chagrin. By the time Dean graduated from Weber High School, he had achieved admirable success in baseball, wrestling, boxing, and basketball. But his true love was football. At Weber High School and then at Weber College on a football scholarship, Dean was a star offensive tackle. His athletic prowess later earned him a football scholarship to Brigham Young University. Dean’s dream was to play for BYU and possibly go on to play at a professional level for the NFL. Dean’s dream of furthering his football career was cut short when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952. He was sent to the front lines in the Korean War conflict. Dean rose quickly through the ranks in the army and was quickly recognized for his leadership abilities when he successfully led a platoon of 54 men. Dean was awarded the Bronze Star for coming up with an adaptation to the 75-millimeter recoilless rifle that drastically increased its efficiency. He was asked to rewrite the Army manual on the use of the weapon based on his new technique. Dean’s combat experiences ultimately changed the trajectory of his life. He experienced the profound physical and emotional trauma of war, which haunted him for the rest of his life. But Dean also witnessed amidst the horrors of combat how his life was preserved on occasions that were nothing short of miraculous. In foxholes on the front line of dangerous battles, Dean became a true believer in a higher power. He came to understand that his life was being preserved so that he could fulfill a special and unique purpose on the earth. After Dean’s honorable discharge from the U.S. Army in 1953, he chose to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Los Angeles, California. Dean cherished his service as a missionary. He was given leadership opportunities that expanded his capacity to serve others. He shared tender experiences with many people who became lifelong friends. And he developed an even deeper faith in a loving Heavenly Father. While on his mission in California, Dean met a hard-working, strong-willed, college graduate named Mary Miles. Dean was impressed with Mary’s intelligence, work ethic, and success as a fellow missionary. However, on one occasion, Dean felt compelled to complain to his mission president about Mary because she ignored Dean when he led study groups and instead read her own materials. With prophetic foresight, Dean’s mission president grinned and counseled him to “be patient with her.” After Dean completed his two years of service in California, he encountered Mary again at a missionary reunion in Provo, Utah. Mary promptly encouraged Dean to date her roommates. Though Dean complied for a time, he and Mary quickly realized that they had feelings for each other. A whirlwind courtship ensued and less than three months later, Dean married Mary in the LDS temple in St. George, Utah. Shortly after his marriage, Dean graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in marketing with the award of outstanding marketing major for his class. His education prepared him well for a successful career in advertising and administration. Dean began his career as the advertising manager for Blacker Furniture Stores in Idaho and then the merchandising director of Bennett Glass and Paint Company in Salt Lake City. He later joined KSL Radio as an account executive, where he was ultimately promoted to assistant station manager and then general station manager. He was a prime force in KSL Radio and Television securing the broadcast rights of the Utah Jazz when the club moved to Salt Lake City from New Orleans. Dean later joined the Utah Jazz as the Vice President of Business Operations, where he oversaw the club’s marketing and sales efforts. Dean later left the Utah Jazz to manage several local radio stations, including KTKK, KISN, KKAT, and KBNG. Throughout his career, Dean was active in many civic and business organizations. He was president of the Salt Lake Advertising Club. He served on the Advisory Boards of the National Alliance of Business and the Utah Lung Association. He provided support to the former Mark Eaton Standing Tall for Youth Foundation. Dean also served for twenty-five years as a member of the Governing Board of the Primary Children’s Medical Center, where he was instrumental in developing and promoting the Primary Children’s Miracle Network Telethon, which has raised millions of dollars for children’s medical care nationally. Dean was the recipient of several well-deserved awards throughout his career, such as the Sales and Marketing Executives’ Distinguished Salesman Award, the Radio Advertising Bureau’s Certified Radio Marketing Consultant Award, and Utah’s Distributive Education Clubs of America’s Outstanding Businessman Award, to name a few. Dean was also active in local, state, and national politics and passionately promoted the cause of freedom alongside his wife, Mary. While Dean was a successful student, athlete, and businessman, his greatest achievements were within the walls of his own home, beginning with his marriage. Dean and Mary began their married life in Los Angeles, California. They later moved to Idaho and Oregon before settling in Salt Lake City. Dean and Mary were best friends. Dean’s love for his sweet companion was unmatched; it grew deeper and more tender as they grew old together. He honored and respected Mary unfailingly. He put Mary’s comfort, wishes, and needs above his own. He always responded to her with tender love, unfailing patience, and the oft-repeated phrase, “Yes, dear.” His unwavering devotion to Mary helped them achieve sixty-three blissful years of marital harmony. Some of Dean’s final words to his children were a heartfelt plea to “take care of Mary.” While Dean never wished to be without the love of his life, he left this earth with an abiding faith that his separation from Mary is only temporary and that he will someday joyfully reunite with her. Dean and Mary were blessed with six children. Dean’s unconditional love for his children was evident in all he did. He sacrificed continually for them and blessed them with his loving example. Dean’s door was literally always open for his children. They always knew that they could come to him at any hour, day or night, for guidance, support, a listening ear, and whatever else they needed. Dean’s children spent countless hours sitting on his bed, often in the middle of the night, talking with him about whatever was important to them at the time. Dean never turned anyone away with a claim that it was too late or that he needed to rest; he always put his children’s needs above his own and made them feel loved and valued. As a husband and father, Dean was especially gentle and mild-mannered. He was a consummate peacemaker who never raised his voice or became angry, even amidst the chaotic moments of family life. Dean was a powerful stabilizing, calming influence for his family. Dean had many other wonderful qualities that won him the respect and admiration of his family and all those who knew him. He always treated everyone with kindness, fairness, and respect, even when they did not treat him with the same courtesies. Dean’s colleagues, employees, and associates frequently praised him for his fairness, integrity, and effective leadership. He cherished his family, friends, and colleagues and greeted them with an infectious smile, a hearty laugh, a firm handshake, and a warm hug. He loved sharing a jovial conversation (especially if it was about sports) with those he cherished. He could tell a good joke (and an occasional bad one) like the best of them. His warm and cheerful nature won the hearts of neighbors, friends, and all who came in contact with him. Above all, Dean lived with humble devotion and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. His Christian values were evident in everything he did, from the unconditionally loving way he cared for his family to every act of kindness and generous service to his friends, neighbors, community, and church. Some of Dean’s final parting counsel to his family was to “serve others with all your might.” With humble gratitude, Dean recognized the source of the many blessings he received throughout his life. He inspired and uplifted many by frequently recounting his blessings and the sacred life experiences that shaped his faith. Dean blessed our lives with his goodness. He brightened our paths with his example. He inspired us to be better. He touched our hearts with his love. He will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and eternally honored as a noble man we are proud to call our beloved father, husband, brother, and friend. Dean was preceded in death by his parents, David Colon Lindsay and Alice Vivian Cheney; and eight siblings: Lydia Lindsay, Ina Lindsay, John Lindsay, Ella Lindsay, David S. Lindsay, Beulah Whittenbach, Trilba Lindsay, and a stillborn brother. He is survived by his sister, Deanna Miles; his lifelong companion, Mary Miles Lindsay; and his six children: Jeffrey Lindsay (and wife Kendra Lindsay); Michael Lindsay (and partner Salvatore Vergadavola); Carolyn Lindsay Lewis; David Lindsay (and wife Heidi Lindsay); Rosalie Lindsay-Guimaraes (and husband Eder Guimaraes); and Joseph Lindsay. Dean is also survived by twelve grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and other extended family members. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2020. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, attendance will be for family and by invitation only. Interment will follow at the Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park in Bluffdale, Utah, on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. Military honors will be provided by the Utah National Guard Honor Guard. Please consider honoring Dean’s legacy by donating to the Primary Children’s Miracle Network Telethon. He would also be grateful for donations to causes that support veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and other service-related disabilities.