Willis Blaine Milner

"Gramps"

Copperton

1915  -  2008

Willis Blaine Milner, was born in Spanish Fork, Utah and lived in the back pocket of his blacksmith grandfather, Thorston Peterson and grandmother Sitherita, pioneers from Iceland, until his family moved to Bingham Canyon. Gramps moved his family into the home in Copperton in 1945 and raised his children, grandchildren and surrogate children in the safety and grace of goodness.

In his 93rd year, he was actively involved, dynamic and an ambassador of love in all of his relationships: After grandma died in 1994 he carried on with her, Art of Foods, planning the activity and providing resources and support to all whom he loved was his signature. At 93, Gramps drove himself from Copperton to work in Cottonwood Heights with the children at the Life Arts Center. He was often building chocolate sweetie pie birthday cakes for his great-grandchildren, building chicken noodle soup and pasty (a family recipe of Sheppard's pie) for his son. He plowed snow with his quad, played the slots with his friends, created lost wax rings and set stones in his silver and gold smithing studio where he machined tools for special jobs. He constancy and presence with his grandkids, taught them how to play and work. His creativity, love of sports and ingenuity were limitless until three weeks ago when he underwent colon cancer surgery and consciously breathed his last breaths on January 31, 2008. His death was sweet and beautiful. He was surrounded by adoring family and friends.

Gramps often dreamed his future. He was very psychic and natural throughout his life. On December 3, he told his son, Michael and daughter Pearl that he was beginning to feel old and that he had a dream that morning. I went into a house that was all broken down - the windows were broken out, the roof was caved in and the flooring had holes in it. I saw Agnes. She was wearing that outfit she wore on our wedding day, a blue fox sweater suit. She looked up at me and said, Blaine, we cant live here anymore.

Mom and Dad played Santa and Mrs. Claus for the children and families at Life Arts before Mom passed thirteen years ago. She has lived in his heart since then and they would have been married 68 years. One of the little boys in the line-up to see Santa said, Oh, mom this is the real Santa and Mrs. Claus! And truly, they made Christmas a child's dream for our family. Grandson Michael remembers the big blue Cadillac coming around the corner to our house filled with beautifully wrapped presents - many, many presents for the boys. Their donations to Make A Wish Foundation were constant and gracious. The legacy of their prayers, hopes and dreams for children's lives is played out daily in the Childhood Advocacy program at Life Arts.

Blaine was a benefactor of and an active member in his Catholic Church, belonging to prayer societies and reciting the Holy Rosary daily. He was not only a fund raiser for the Bishop of Utah, but he often plumbed, layed brick and fixed furnaces for Immaculate Conception Parish, Saint Joseph the Worker in West Jordan, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Kearns, Utah. Blaine was a member of the Bingham Lions Club. He worked for Kennecott Copper Corporation as a locomotive engineer for 42 years, a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen Engineers, and chairperson for the Copperton Improvement District.

The legacy he leaves behind are his son, Michael Milner (Cathy Milner Smith), daughter, Pearl M. Wagstaff-Garff (George Garff), grandsons, John Wagstaff, Timothy Blaine Wagstaff (Sheri Watkins), Michael Wagstaff (Rhonda), Jeremy Garff (Angela), Eric Garff (Kimberely), Nikolas Garff, nine great-grandchildren and countless extended family members who are cherished and loved. Preceded in death by Agnes McDonald Milner, grandson, Joseph John Wagstaff, and all of his siblings.

The family wish to thank the glorious nursing staff at Jordan Valley Hospital, Dr. Stu Breisch, Dr. Kevin Johnson, Dr. Jane Porretta and the staff for such loving and compassionate care.

If you wish, in lieu of flowers, tax deductible donations can be made to the Life Arts Center, c/o 7304 Jonathan Drive, SLC 84121. www.lifeartscenter.com

Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, Feb 6, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. in the Copperton Immaculate Conception Church, with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Church, 112 West State Highway, Tuesday evening visitation at Goff Mortuary, 8090 South State Street, Midvale, Utah from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Holy Rosary 8:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Interment, Redwood Memorial Estates.