Jay Wallace Neilson

For nearly a century, this world was made a better place by the many lives touched by Jay Wallace “Wally” Neilson - a man dedicated to his wife, Joan Bernice Steedman, his large family, his faith, and the country he loved and served. Born of goodly parents on April 6, 1929, Wally passed beyond this life on Sept. 5, 2024, into the loving embrace of his parents, Olive Parry and Lawrence Andrew Neilson, and into the arms of many other dear family members and friends. 

Wally had an admirable work ethic from a very young age, making money cleaning furnaces with his father and working a summer job cleaning the shop at Gunther Sheet Metal. Orville Gunther became one of his dearest friends and inspirational mentors. A lifelong student and teacher, Wally graduated from Jordan High School in 1947. He received both a Bachelor of Science degree in 1955 and a Master of Education degree in Instructional Media in 1970 from Brigham Young University, where he became a loyal Cougar fan for life. As a father of seven at the time, Wally continued his thirst for knowledge at the University of Utah and was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1975 in Educational Administration, with a minor in Sociology. His natural talent and passion for teaching spanned 22 years in many capacities as a beloved teacher, media coordinator and employee of Jordan School District. Throughout the years, Wally would supplement his income by working several part-time jobs to provide for his growing family. 

Equal to his family and his faith, Wally loved his country which he honorably served for 34 years as a pilot in the United States Air Force and later, in the Utah Air National Guard. Reporting for active duty from 1955-1958, he proudly piloted the B-47 Stratojet nuclear bomber during the Cold War with Russia. He loved flying by celestial navigation in the quiet black of the night with only the stars and his Maker. Wally would not make a career in the Air Force as he and Joan desired a more stable life for raising a family - always their priority. While on Inactive Reserve, Wally was promoted to the rank of Captain - an unprecedented military advancement for someone in the Reserves. He later joined the Air Guard in the 191st Military Airlift Squadron, being promoted to the rank of Major where he traveled the world piloting the C-97, C-124, and KC-97, always bringing home cherished souvenirs and stories to his family. 

Not only did Wally have unwavering faith in the Savior and in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he exemplified Christ’s teachings in everything he did. He loved, accepted, and served others regardless of race, religion, or beliefs. He valiantly served as a missionary in the Central States Mission which he said as a shy teenager, was a defining moment in his life. He held several church callings, including Stake High Councilman, High Priest Group Leader, Mutual Superintendent, Bishopric First Counselor and Executive Secretary, and Scout Leader. Wally and Joan fulfilled a dream they shared even before they got married to serve as a senior missionary couple. They were called to the Maryland Baltimore Mission where they served a Military Mission at the Aberdeen Proving Ground. They also served as Guest Services missionaries at the LDS Conference Center, and as ordinance workers in the Jordan River Temple and the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. 

Wally was an avid reader. Hunting, sports, and community service also played a major role in his life. With baseball at the top of the list playing pitcher or first baseman, a scout for the St. Louis Cardinals saw him playing a pick-up game on P-Day while on his mission, and asked if he would entertain the idea of trying out for the team. Of course, Wally declined and once he got home his focus was on his education, family, and community service for his hometown. At the young age of 30, Wally and his uncle, Ben Parry, started Bluffdale Town Days - a rich community tradition that carries on to this day. In 1971, he was elected as president of the Bluffdale Lions Club. Six years later, he was chosen to be part of the Exploratory Committee for the incorporation of Bluffdale as a city independent from Salt Lake County. Incorporation was finalized in 1978, the same year Wally was elected to the Bluffdale City Council for a four-year term, and then re-elected for a second term. Wally and Joan were honored for their lifetime of community service in 2017 as Grand Marshals in the Bluffdale Wild West parade. 

Never in question, Wally’s No.1 priority was his wife and family. He married his eternal sweetheart on August 20, 1953 in the Salt Lake Temple. Together, they raised their family of nine children rooted in faith and in annual traditions, including Fish Lake and Granite Flat camping, the fall deer hunt, and chopping down Christmas trees in Eureka. One of Wally’s most cherished points of pride was listening to his children play the piano or sing, which was a constant in their home. 

Wally is survived by his wife, Joan Bernice Steedman, and children, Michelle Joan, Marilyn Monson (Bruce), Miki Lyn, Jay W. Jr., Miriam Quist (Paul), Melanie Oliver (Richard), Shawn (Heather), Marci Peacock (Robert), and Scott (Tiffany). He is deeply adored by 31 grandchildren and almost 30 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Bonnie Durrance and brother, Larry. He is preceded in death by his brothers, Lawrence Andrew Jr. and Denny Lowell, and his sister Judy Brown, as well as his parents and grandparents who are joyfully celebrating his return home. 

Friends and family are invited to a viewing on Friday, September 13, from 6 - 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 14, at 11 a.m. with a viewing prior to the services from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. All services will be held at the Bluffdale LDS church located at 14400 South Redwood Road. Interment will be at the Bluffdale City Cemetery with full military honors.

The family would like to express sincere appreciation to the many attentive caregivers at Rocky Mountain Care, Sagewood Assisted Living, Copper Creek Assisted Living, and Ovation Hospice for their compassionate care of Wally over the past several months. We also express our gratitude to the members of the Bluffdale 2nd Ward for their loving service to our family.

The service will be livestreamed on the Goff Mortuary Facebook Page at the following link: 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Funeral-Service---Cemetery/Goff-Mortuary-116988261695382/

(The livestream video will appear when the service starts.)