William Norman Pond

William Norman Pond, 81, passed away peacefully at home in the arms of his loving wife, Deneen, early in the morning of December 30, 2006. Bill had lived for many years with the complications and frustrations of congestive heart failure. Finally his heart could beat no longer, and he returned to the loving arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ. Bill was born in Los Angeles, California on August 7, 1925. His parents were William Howard Pond and Lorena Hogan Pond. Two and 1/2 years later, their family was completed when his lovely sister Mary Lou was born. He enjoyed the life of a child raised in the Hollywood area of Southern California. He attended Catholic Parochial Schools and was an alter boy for Our Mother of Good Council Parrish. When he reached high school age, he decided to attend John Marshall Public High School. Before he completed his high school education, he decided to enlist in the Navy at age 17. During the first part of World War II he served aboard ships in the Pacific Asian region. He trained as a diesel mechanic and with the assistance of the Navy he completed the course work needed to earn his high school certificate of graduation. Later in the war he took training as a Navy frogman, and became a member of an underwater demolition team serving in the European, African, and Mediterranean areas. After the war, he returned home and began training as a commercial artist, but before he could finish his education, he was called back into the Navy to serve in the Korean War. He once again served on a UDT, until his release at the end of the Korean Conflict. Upon his return home he worked for several years in the garment industry as a diesel mechanic. Later he worked as a customs inspector for the Port Authority of Los Angeles. He later pursued a career in retail sales. Bill worked in management for both Tandy Leather Company and Standard Brands Paint Company. After moving to Providence in Cache Valley, Bill worked at Cantwell Brothers Lumber for several years. He then studied to become a real estate agent and later became a bail bondsman. Soon after coming home from Korea, Bill began a hobby that engaged his artistic talents for the rest of his life. He learned to carve leather. Soon he began to design and construct 1/5 sized miniature saddles. He received many awards throughout the western United States and Canada for his skills as a leather designer and carver. He was especially proud that President Lyndon B. Johnson chose one of his miniature saddles for the presidential collection. Bill married Deneen Schneiter on August 31, 1968 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in May, 1980. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan Temple in September, 1981. He was the proud father of his favorite and only child, his daughter Lynelle Pond, whom he doted on. After being held-up at gun point three times while attending to his work duties, Bill decided to move his family to a safer place. The family settled in Providence on a cold December day in 1979. There he met wonderful neighbors and made many life long friends. Bill often remarked that we found the best neighborhood in Cache Valley in which to live. During the past few months Bill and his wife were making plans to retire and move to Sequim, Washington to live near his daughter. It is with great sadness that he will not be able to see the completion of those plans. He served many callings in his church: ward financial clerk, primary teacher, home teacher, and was happily one of the nursery leaders for most of the last 8 years. He claimed to be the nursery food chairman. He had a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. During the time he lived in Providence Bill was a member of the Lion?s club. For many years he also enjoyed visiting with his friends daily at the Logan Senior Citizen Center, and more recently attending the Sunshine Terrace Adult Day program. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his sister. He leaves behind his wife, daughter and much loved son-in-law Michael Lovejoy, who will all miss his warmth, humor, and companionship greatly. Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 4, at 11:00 A.M. in the Providence 10th Ward Chapel located on Canyon Road. A viewing will be held that morning from 9:30 to 10:30. An evening viewing will be held Wednesday, January 3 from 6:00 to 8:00 at Nelson Funeral Home, 162 East, 400 North, Logan. Interment will be held later in the week in Clallam County, Washington. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either the Logan Senior Citizen Center or the Sunshine Terrace Adult Day Center.