William Frank Wickam SR

Frank Wickham

Richfield, Utah

William Frank Wickham, Sr. passed away August 23, 2016 in Richfield, Utah, at the age of 99. Known to all as "Frank", he was born March 22, 1917 to William Secord and Amelia Dickey Wickham in Saskatchewan, Canada. He was preceded in death by his wife, Berniece; by his oldest daughter, Deanna Marie; and by his youngest son, Monte Todd. He is survived by his children Bill (Darlene) Wickham, Jr. of Kenora, Ontario, Canada; Scott (Juanita) Wickham of Willow River, British Columbia, Canada; Donald Wickham of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Gloria (Terry) Kidd of Herriman, Utah; Berniece (Kim) Cronquist of Smithfield, Utah; and Marie (Marv) Forsythe of Richfield, Utah; 25 grandchildren, 79 great grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren.

Beginning as a boy on his family’s farm and throughout his life, as long as his health permitted, Frank loved horses, growing things and adventure. He could always find satisfaction in a large garden or spending all Saturday on a horse in the mountains. He also maintained a love of dancing and singing into his nineties.

Frank’s life was not always an easy one, however. He left home when only 17 to find work during the Great Depression. He rode freight trains across Canada, working on farms and ranches. That decision proved fateful in a good way, as his travels took him east, where he met, fell in love with, and married Berniece Swain on August 31, 1940, in Toronto, Ontario.

During WWII, Frank served the Canadian army in British Columbia. Discharged in January of 1946, he served an apprenticeship and then became an auto mechanic. His mechanic skills supported his family (for a time as a locomotive mechanic, as well), and provided Frank many opportunities for service. Especially in his later years, Frank fixed just about anything with a motor and often repaired widows’ cars for just the cost of parts. He rescued family members and strangers when their cars broke down.

Frank was always willing to serve, and that willingness increased as he and his family were introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The gospel of Jesus Christ became the guiding star in their lives, with Frank serving as the first branch president and later as district president in Kenora, Ontario, Canada. Frank and Berniece continued to serve after they moved to Utah in 1962, settling first in North Logan, then Hyrum. After retiring, Frank and Berniece moved to Koosharem, Utah, but continued to serve as missionaries in Canada; Nauvoo, Illinois; Adam-Ondi-Ahman, Missouri; and Arcadia, California.

Frank and Berniece lived on their own in Koosharem as long as possible, although they spent many winters in Death Valley or Tecopa Hot Springs, California and summers visiting relatives in Canada. In November 2011, they moved to Richfield, where their daughter Marie Forsythe became their angel of mercy, watching over and caring for them in their last few years.

Graveside services and interment will be held Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 1:00 pm at the Koosharem Cemetery. Friends and family wishing to drive together to Koosharem may meet at Magleby Mortuary, 50 South 100 West in Richfield, on Saturday by 12:15 pm. A celebration of Frank’s life, with music and dancing, will be held at the Richfield 1st, 3rd and 11th Ward Chapel, 985 South 400 West from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.

Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.