William Sorensen

Dr. William "Bill" Lloyd Sorensen, 83, of Afton, Wyoming died May 21, 2015 in Highland, Utah surrounded by his family. Bill, a life-long Wyoming resident, was born on Sept. 28, 1931 in Alta, Wyoming, to Marvin Leland and Ida Helen Floyd Sorensen. He is the fifth of eight children, and was raised working hard beside his beloved brothers, sassy sisters and parents on a beautiful farm just southwest of the Teton Mountain Range. Bill graduated from Teton High School in Driggs, Idaho, and afterward, served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Great Lakes Mission. Bill also served in the armed services as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, 3rd infantry, during the Korean War, training in Fort Benning, Georgia. After returning, he married Loa Deane Timothy, a Ricks college homecoming queen attendant, in the Idaho Falls Temple. Bill attended Ricks College, Utah State and Brigham Young University, and received his Doctor's of Dental Surgery from the University of Washington in 1963. He opened his dental practice in Afton in September 1963, and enjoyed serving and socializing the community as a dentist for more than 40 years, until he retired in summer 2000. Bill spent many years participating in the community, including serving in the Lion's Club, on the Star Valley Hospital Board, and in various callings and capacities as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Robert Leland and Philip Floyd Sorensen, and his eldest grandson, Justin Peter Braun. He is survived by his wife Loa Deane and their six children: Brenda Braun (Barry); Lisa Miller (Dave); Debra Kenney (Chris): Jana Lee Hatch (Dennis): James William Sorensen (Valynn Randall); and Audra Sorensen. He is also survived by 25 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Dr. Sorensen's greatest hobbies were dedicating himself to work, church and his family. He enjoyed the outdoors, loved music, cowboy poetry, watching the cutter races, and had a subtle and dry wit. He was generous with his time and kindnesses. He liked to swear a little, and often threatened to "bet on the ponies" - just to make his wife mad.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. A viewing will be held on Friday, May 29, 2015 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Schwab Mortuary. Services will be held on Sat May 30, at 11 a.m. at the Afton 4th Ward Chapel.