William Byron Eck
William Byron Eck
1942 ~ 2024
Our hearts are broken wide open today as we announce the death of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend.
William Byron Eck was not someone you met; he was a someone that you experienced. He was larger than life and you always knew when “Eck” walked into a room.
Bill was a man of exceptional integrity, intelligence and iron will.
His relentless work ethic began at age 6 when he got his first job delivering papers to the local residents of Butte, MT. At age 8 he was shining shoes at the Finland Hotel and at 14 he was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. At age 17 he joined the United States Air Force, where he proudly served. While he was stationed in Korea as a Medical Para Rescue, he attained the highest degree black belt in karate, volunteered at a Leper colony and proudly jumped out of 83 airplanes. It is also where his love of aviation began.
Upon returning to Butte after his service, he met and married Rae Ann Sullivan, and together they raised 4 beautiful children, Timothy John, Stephen Anthony, Lisa Marie and Terri Ann. They later divorced.
Bill was always ready for a good time, the life of the party and his passion for life was insatiable. He was generous to a fault, (just ask anyone in the service industry) and he always made sure that his grandsons and nephews had, what he called “walk about money”.
The love he had for his wife, Carolyn, was undeniable and the 44 years they were together built a legacy of love and family.
His second love, was aviation (although Carolyn may disagree) and that lead to over 30 years volunteering at the Reno National Championship Air Races.
Bill had an undeniable charisma that naturally drew people to him and made everyone around him want to be better.
He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Kathryn and son, Stephen.
He is survived by his loving wife, Carolyn, (his partner in crime, the love of his life and his best friend) his 3 children, 8 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Bill will be held on Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 11:00 am in the Warenski Funeral Home Chapel, located at 1776 North 900 East, American Fork, Utah. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Thursday morning from 9:30-11:00 am prior to services at the funeral home. Interment will follow services at the Highland City Cemetery where military rites will be performed.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations the Alzheimer’s Association @alz.org