Phyllis Works Whicker

Phyllis Works Whicker, 93, passed away at home on May 12, 2011, in Murray, Utah.

Phyllis was born February 27, 1918, in Salt Lake City to James Earnest and Hazel (Huff) Works. She spent her early years in Delta, Richfield, Sugarhouse, Holiday, and Oasis, Utah. She graduated from Hinckley High School in Hinckley, Utah. She attended Utah State University and ultimately graduated from the Woodberry Business College in Los Angeles, California.

She married Henry Ford Whicker on October 15, 1938, in Murray, Utah, and, after Ford’s death in 1984, was later sealed to him in the South Jordan Temple. Phyllis worked for the First National Bank of Murray for many years. That bank eventually became Walker Bank & Trust, then First Interstate, and finally Wells Fargo. She retired in 1980.

Phyllis truly enjoyed serving in various women’s organizations: She served as president of the Murray Junior Women’s Club and the Salt Lake County Firemen’s Auxiliary. She was also a captain of the Hillcrest Camp of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Although Phyllis survived her husband by 27 years and endured the challenges of macular degeneration, she was the ultimate example to all who knew her, never complaining and always eager to live an active life.

She is survived by two daughters, Karen (George) Ellis of Los Angeles, California, and Dixie (Jim) Galbraith of Midway, Utah. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Derek Galbraith, Erin (Chuck) Husband, and Emily (Ben) Maxwell, as well as five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by an infant son, Raymond Ford Whicker, and a grandson, Brian Ford Galbraith.

Funeral services will be at the Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary (4760 South State Street in Murray) on Monday, May 16th at 11:00 AM. There will be a viewing at the mortuary on Sunday, May 15th from 5:00-7:00 PM, and preceding the funeral from 10:00-10:45 AM. Interment will be in the Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy, Utah, immediately following the funeral.