Walter Gonzalez Ellis

Walter Gonzalez Ellis, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, age 69, passed away on January 31, 2024, at his home.  His health declined rapidly following a cardiac incident on January 22, 2024.  

Walter was born March 24, 1954, in a car en route to the University of Utah Hospital to William Clyde Ellis and Maria de la Luz Garza Gonzalez. Walter was the second of five children born to his parents. Walter met his future wife, Claire Stoddard Davey, at an LDS seminary dance that matched couples using a computer algorithm.  Claire and Walter dated for two years before eloping, followed by a temple marriage a year later. Walter and Claire were married civilly in Elko, Nevada, on May 4, 1974, and were sealed for time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on May 5, 1975.  

Walter is predeceased by a son, Paul Simon Ellis, his parents (William Clyde Ellis and Maria de la Luz Garza Gonzalez), and his brother Wendell Ellis.  Walter is survived by his wife Claire; his brother Bill Ellis; his sisters Myralynne Skousen and Mary Ester Allers; his sons Daniel Ellis and Abram Ellis; his daughter Sherry Jones; his grandchildren Katherine Arnesen, Ammon Ellis, Sarah Ellis, Michael Ellis, Serenity Ellis, Maxwell Ellis, Aviva Ellis, Leo Ellis, Peter Ellis, Preston Jones, and Paige Jones; and his great-grandchildren Isaac Arnesen and Gideon Arnesen.  His family was his greatest treasure.  He loved spending time with his wife and posterity, especially enjoying the pleasures of life, being outdoors, exploring new adventures, and eating good food with them.  He was always cheerful, even in very unpleasant circumstances. The hospice nurse who served him said she had never had such a cheerful patient who smiled so much.  He was also gentle, tender, kind, warm, long-suffering, and generous.  

A private family graveside service was held for the close family at Elysian Burial Garden, where he will be interred, located at 1075 East College Street (4580 South) Millcreek, on February 3, 2024.