Additional photos will be posted on his web site later on. (www.therussells.net/brazil/)
http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/59255/Elder-William-Grant-Bangerter-A-light-to-all-those-that-knew-him.html
Elder William Grant Bangerter: A light to all those that knew him
Friends and family filled the American Fork Tabernacle on Saturday, April 24, for funeral services to honor the life of Elder William Grant Bangerter, an emeritus member of the Seventy.
Representing the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve, spoke of the great service Elder Bangerter gave throughout his life.
"We rejoice with you in his life of devoted service," Elder Scott read from a letter from the First Presidency. "Elder Bangerter's life was a model of diligence and hard work. His example of conviction as a husband and father and stalwart servant of the Lord influenced the lives of loved ones and all with whom he came in contact."
Elder Scott also spoke of the comfort of the plan of salvation and the importance of the sealing ordinances performed in the temple.
"I rejoice in the day we’ll have the privilege of being with him again eternally," he said. "That will happen, absolutely."
All ten of Elder Bangerter’s living children were a part of the funeral services, participating in talks, prayers and musical numbers. Speakers during the funeral service included two of his sons, Cory Bangerter and Howard Bangerter, and his daughter, Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.
Each of the speakers said Elder Bangerter’s life was full of service and missionary work.
"His love for the Savior was manifested with his devotion to His cause, never failing, ever ready to go and do what was asked of him by his master," said Brother Cory Bangerter.
Sister Beck spoke of a recent conversation she had with her father in which he asked her what her mission in life is. He asked what his purpose was and why individuals are here on earth. She then recalled her father’s answers — responding very powerfully to his own questions.
"We are here to develop ourselves and build the kingdom of God," she recalled him saying. "A high level of employment is an interesting thing. But serving as a bishop and leaders is something very special. … I was not sent on earth to be a farmer or a carpenter, I was sent to serve and respond where I was sent and be carried around the world in the Lord’s service."
Brother Howard K. Bangerter spoke of the missionary service his father accomplished both as a young missionary and as a mission president years later. As a young missionary the number of convert baptisms weren’t high, but the lessons he learned were great, he said.
"While these faithful missionaries didn’t baptize thousands, they developed unwavering testimonies for the gospel," he said.
Returning years later as a mission president to Brazil, Elder Bangerter saw the growth of the Church in great numbers. While he was there, he focused not only on the growth of the Church, but also the integration of the new members. Just as important as the convert baptisms were his missionaries, Brother Howard Bangerter said.
"He was their friend and they knew he loved them and all else flowed from that," he said. "He saw in every new missionary the nugget of a powerful leader that was just green and raw and untapped."
Using a concept from a talk his father gave in general conference in 1977, Brother Howard Bangerter spoke of the many footprints his father left behind, focusing on the lessons that can be learned as individual’s look to his father’s example.
"Each of us, from the Primary chorister to the bishop, or in whatever calling we may be serving can seek, number one, to learn the will of the Lord through personal revelation, and number two, to move forward with faith and use our influence to bring to pass the Lord’s will. In doing so, may we become sanctified."
Elder Bangerter served as a General Authority from 1975 – 89. During that time he served as an assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve apostles, a member of the Seventy and a member of the Presidency of the Seventy.
"William Grant Bangerter was a light to all those who knew him, and his good works for many who did not know him," said Michael W. Crossley, bishop of the Alpine 5th Ward. "The greatest work that Elder Bangerter did was raise up a righteous posterity."
A graveside service was held after the conclusion of the funeral at the Elysian Memorial Gardens in Murray, Utah.
William Grant Bangerter 1918 ~ 2010 William Grant Bangerter, an emeritus member of the First Quorum of The Seventy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of Alpine, Utah, died April 18, 2010, at age 91. Born June 8, 1918 in Granger, Utah to William Henry and Isabelle Bawden Bangerter, Elder Bangerter was the second of 11 children and grandson of Mormon pioneers and Swiss immigrants. He spent his early years working with his father on the family farm using mostly horse drawn equipment. He enjoyed farming and horses throughout his life. As a General Authority he served as a member of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy. His assignments included the Presidency of the International Mission, Executive Director of the Temple Department, and Director of various areas of the Church at different times, including Brazil, Chile, Colorado, Nevada, South Utah and the North Eastern US as well as Managing Director of the Genealogical Department. Elder Bangerter served as a missionary to Brazil, 1939-1941 speaking Portuguese and German. Soon thereafter he was called to the Bishopric but was drafted into the US Army after Pearl Harbor and became a bomber pilot, squadron commander and flying instructor. He married Mildred Lee Schwantes in the Mesa, Az. Temple on March 8, 1944, she died in 1952, one year after the death of their fourth child. In 1953 he married Geraldine Hamblin in the Salt Lake Temple. They had seven children. He worked as a building contractor with his father and brothers. Earlier church service was as a Bishop, President of two Stakes, and Assistant Chairman of the Pioneer Welfare Region. Elder Bangerter presided over three missions of the Church: Brazil (1958-63), Portugal (1974-75) and the International Mission (1975-77). He was president to more than 600 missionaries with whom he and his wife have maintained a close bond. In various assignments prior to being called as a General Authority, Elder Bangerter served as a member of the Church Home Teaching Committee, the Melchizedek Priesthood Committee, the Church Correlation Committee and as a Regional Representative from 1968-1975 in Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Wyoming, Texas and Brazil. His civic service included membership on the Board of Trustees of the LDS Hospital, the University of Utah Alumni Board and Alpine City Council. He studied two years at Brigham Young University and following the War he attended and graduated from the University of Utah with honors, with degrees in History and Languages. He had a knowledge and love of peoples around the world and a special association with the country and people of Brazil; he could often be heard speaking or singing in Portuguese, Spanish and German. As an emeritus General Authority he served as president of the Jordan River Temple from 1990-93, sealer in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple and Patriarch of the Alpine Utah West Stake until his death. His devoted wife Geri supported and accompanied him in his many Church and civic assignments throughout their 57 years together. He revered the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and was a loving and tender husband and father. He loved the mountains and his beautiful farm in Alpine. Elder Bangerter is survived by his wife; 10 children: Lee Ann Lorenzon (Richard), Cory William (Gayle), Glenda Apple (Steve), Julie Beck (Ramon), Grant Hamblin (Cleadonna), Howard Kent (Lissa), Peggy Brasilia Dowse, Glenn Paulo (JaLayne), Layne Rio (Betsy), Duella Williams (Lonnie); those of the Wosnjuk/Duffles family whom he embraced as children; sisters Pauline Jensen, Elsbeth Hansen, Marian Lindsey, and Naomi Christopherson; brother Norman H.; 65 grandchildren; and 67 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Mildred; a daughter, Mildred Elizabeth; granddaughter Katie; sisters, Sarah Hardy and Glenneth Wilson; and brothers, Samuel B., Blauer L. and David K. He is beloved and will be remembered as one of the "noble and great ones." A viewing will be held on Friday April 23rd from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Alpine Stake Center located at 98 East Canyon Crest Road, Alpine, Utah, and on Saturday, April 24th from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the LDS Tabernacle, 110 East Main Street, American Fork, UT. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. in the Tabernacle in American Fork. Burial will be in the Elysian Gardens, 1045 East 4580 South, Murray, Utah, under the direction of Anderson & Sons Mortuary. Online condolences may be sent at 
