William Lambert

William Reid Lambert, son of Diana Reid and William Patten Lambert, was born on October 9, 1932, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Bill was the middle of three exceptional children. His sister Jean (Queed) and brother Ray (Marilyn) were some of his favorite companions with whom he loved to travel and play cards. He grew up near Liberty Park in Salt Lake until he moved to Great Falls, Montana where he attended high school. He was 16 years old when he began his studies at University of Utah where he earned a degree in Business Administration and was active in Marching Band and several symphonic groups. After college, he was called on a mission to Uruguay where he served as Mission Secretary and led a mission choir that traveled the country performing live and on the radio.

In 1959, he married Ann Wixom in the Salt Lake Temple. In their 62 years together they raised six independent and accomplished children of whom he was very proud. Leigh, Lynn (Ed Eyestone), Reid (Karma), Raquel (Reed Garfield), Scott (Heather), and Paul (Nichole) were blessed by the many opportunities he provided them and valued his advice, high expectations and the candy bars he hid in his desk. He was always happy to give a nuzzle to his 25 grandchildren whose pursuits and whereabouts he followed closely and whose visits he thoroughly enjoyed. He has 7 promising great-grandchildren and one more coming soon.

He received an MBA from Harvard in 1962, and a PhD from Indiana University in 1968. He was a professor of business, finance, and investments at BYU for 32 years. He took a sabbatical in 1969 and moved his family to Europe to teach at Air Force bases in England and Germany. He was an excellent teacher who demanded that even the “driddles” engage in class and do their best work. Hard-working students were rewarded with in-depth knowledge, insightful analysis, and some wry humor.

As a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Bill diligently served in a myriad of capacities, most often as a teacher, music director or High Priest leader. He was a conscientious home teacher and was often found cooking for ward dinners. He served in a branch presidency at BYU, and he and Ann thoroughly enjoyed their service mission in south Provo where they helped lift, bless and teach people spiritual and financial self reliance.

Bill’s favorite pastimes included travel, music and food. Whatever he attempted to accomplish, he strived to do well, and his hobbies were no exception. He traveled to all 7 continents, all 50 states, and over 80 other countries or geographically distinct territories where he always “saw and did a lot”. He was curious about the world and always sought to learn the cultural and historical highlights of the places he visited, going to great lengths to see and take a picture of every noteworthy sight. He appreciated music and the arts and attended operas, concerts, and plays whenever he could. He played the clarinet, taught himself piano, and led choirs with great vigor throughout his life. Bill also loved making and eating good food and delighted in sharing it with family, friends, and neighbors, especially when he’d found a great bargain at the grocery store.

For the past six years Bill has suffered with kidney disease, attending dialysis three days a week. His willingness and determination to persist with treatment were a great blessing and a wonderful example to his family and friends. We are grateful for the attentive care of extended family and friends, the Davita staff and especially his daughter, Leigh, who shouldered much of the responsibility. Bill slipped away in the early morning of March 9, 2022. His keen mind, commitment to excellence, love of his family and firm testimony of the gospel are a lasting legacy of his life well lived.