William Paul Walter

William Paul Walter of Springville, Utah, passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in his home after keeping a tenacious grip on life despite multiple health challenges.

Paul was born July 14, 1939, in Provo, Utah, the second of three children to William J. and LaPriel Shaw Walter, of American Fork, Utah. Paul grew up in American Fork, attending Harrington Elementary and graduating from American Fork High School in 1957. He felt a lifelong connection to his hometown and was an active member of the high school reunion committee. Go, Cavemen!

From a young age, Paul learned to play hard and work hard. Treasured memories included heading to the barber with friends on the last day of school to get his head shaved for the summer, skinny dipping in the mill pond, and playing baseball on the sandlot. His first job was a newspaper route. Later he worked as a projectionist at the Coral and Cameo theaters and as a runner for the local Ford dealership.

After high school, Paul volunteered for six months of active duty training at Fort Ord, CA. He completed the photography school at Fort Monmouth, NJ, and trained to become an official U.S. Army photographer. He carried this interest throughout his life and became the official family videographer, documenting hundreds of his kids’ important life events. They all remember him with a camera in hand.

Paul was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 8 years old in the American Fork Tabernacle. During his college years, he served two and a half years in the North German Mission, nine months of that in Goslar, where he “tracted the whole city.” His missionary experience began a life of faith and good works. He had a particular love for missionary work, family history research, and temple service. These things formed the bedrock of his character.

Paul attended Brigham Young University, where he met his sweetheart Judy Diane Stephens. They married in the Salt Lake Temple on February 14, 1964, then moved to California, where he graduated with a degree in Accounting & Finance from San Jose State University. The couple moved between the Bay Area and Southern California then, in 1974, settled in the Sacramento suburb of Roseville. They grew their family along the way, welcoming three daughters and two sons.

Paul’s career started out in an accounting firm, but he was an entrepreneur at heart and eventually moved into the construction industry. In 1993 he started Advanced Pool Coatings with his trusted partner Dwight Johnson. Together they built a highly respected firm and a lifelong friendship. Paul retired in April 2010.

Paul had a great love for his children and a strong moral code. With Judy’s warmth and discernment, they provided a secure home, emphasizing prayer, traditions, laughter, and fun. He extended this safe haven to anyone his kids brought home. His home was their home.

Paul loved providing for his large family, and his kids found joy in good-naturedly teasing him. He established connections with each of his children through his work, providing them with their first jobs in his office or in his various entrepreneurial pursuits, including a bookstore and a scrapbook store. To the end of his life, Paul strengthened relationships by creating meaningful task-oriented service opportunities. In simpler terms, by needing his kids, he consequently forged a strong bond with each of them. They loved him for it.

Paul and Judy supported each other through many Church leadership callings and modeled their love of the gospel. Paul faithfully served his church community his entire life. In 1982, he was called as bishop of the Roseville 2nd Ward and, following a realignment, bishop of the Roseville 4th Ward. This service lasted five and a half years. Paul also served as a high councilor in the Roseville Stake. Through all his Church service, he cultivated many lasting relationships that he greatly valued and nurtured even in his older years.

After 39 years of marriage, Judy passed away in February 2003, due to a sudden illness. This was an unimaginable loss for Paul and his family. However, Judy had raised them up to be resilient, and they soldiered on despite the aching absence.

In 2004, Paul met and married Bonnie Webb Propach. Paul and Bonnie were able to complete several Church temple missions, starting in the Oakland and Sacramento temples. After Paul’s retirement, they served a Nauvoo Temple mission, which they both greatly enjoyed and where they were sealed. When they moved to Springville, they resumed their temple service in the Provo and Provo City Center temples and also served a mission in the BYU Family History Library. Paul and Bonnie were loving companions until Bonnie passed away in 2017. Paul continued temple service in the Provo City Center Temple until just a few months ago.

Paul had an enormous love of people. He never forgot a name or a relationship. He was a generous and honorable son, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, cousin, uncle, mentor, friend, and even “Uncle Grandpa” to some family members. There were no in-laws in his world. He showed us, through example, that all are family. He is a beloved and irreplaceable presence in our lives.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Carolyn Herron, his wife Judy, and his wife Bonnie.

He is survived by his brother Richard (Susan) Walter; his brothers by marriage Val (Dorothy) Stephens and Brad (Melissa) Stephens; and his five children Natalie (Eric) Feller, Tami (Daryl) Stokes, David (Robynn) Walter, Katie (Dave) Chase, and Stephen (Debbie) Walter.

Paul's cherished grandchildren are Daniel (Katrina) Feller, Abbie Feller (Mark Nesbit), Meili Stokes (Kason Hudman), Eli Stokes, Ben (Julia) Walter, Emily (Mitch) Bashford, Brooke Walter, Ana Stokes, Lincoln Chase (Amanda Brown), Jacob Walter, Scout Chase, Bennett Walter, Truman Chase, Alice Walter, and Calvin Chase. Great-grandchildren are Beau Walter, Florence Bashford, and Graham Walter, with baby Feller and baby Bashford on the way.

Paul dearly loved his expanded family, and his children wish to thank and honor them. His six stepchildren are Cindy (Gary) Peterson, Jeffery (Misao) Wilkinson, Vicky (Lafe) Peavler, Andy (Julie) Wilkinson, Michael Wilkinson (Patricia, recently deceased), and Timothy Wilkinson. Paul was proud to have 27 step-grandchildren and 51 step-great-grandchildren, and was touched by those who sought him out.

The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to Sherry Southam, Paul’s devoted companion through his final years. Paul loved spending time in her company, studying scriptures, dining out, and attending plays at Hale Centre Theatre. The family also feels indebted to his neighbors and to his ward family who daily served him and looked out for him. They thank the doctors, nurses, and caregivers in times past and in recent days. The medical expertise, loving support, and even spiritual guidance that each provided helped Paul and his family courageously navigate the end of his mortal journey.

Thanks to all in Paul’s vast sphere of influence.

Thanks very much in advance to members of the Springville 9th Ward for their service to Paul’s family.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 11:00am at the LDS chapel at 878 West Center Street, Springville, Utah. A visitation will precede the service at 9:30am. The service will be available via livestream.

A short public graveside service will be held Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 12:00pm at East Lawn Mortuary & Sierra Hills Memorial Park at 5757 Greenback Lane, Sacramento, CA. All are welcome.

Livestream can be viewed below or at the following link: https://youtube.com/live/EDglLemTts4?feature=share 

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.