William Odell Lovett

SALT LAKE CITY — William Odell "Bill" Lovett, 84, passed away in Salt Lake City, Utah, on May 19, 2011. Bill was a loving and devoted husband; marvelous father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Lovett was born Sept. 7, 1926, in Winchester, Va. He graduated from John Handley High School, where he played on the football team with his younger brother Bruce.

Lovett joined the United States Navy during WWII. He was stationed at the U.S. Naval Station, Seattle, Wash. in 1945 when the war ended. As part of his navy duties, Bill was trained in communications. He got a job with the CAA (precursor to the Federal Aviation Administration). He married Lee Marlowe in 1952 and had three sons.

Lovett is preceded in death by his father Brown Lovett, his mother Claudine Riley Lovett, and his brothers Brown Lovett, Jr. ("BJ") and Bruce Emery Lovett.

Lovett is survived by his wife of 59 years, the love of his life, Lee; their sons Michael Lovett (Theresa Martinez), Thomas Lovett (Jan), and John Lovett (Amanda); two women whom he loved and considered as daughters, Kathie Lovett and Jean Blackmon; grandchildren Jared Lovett, Jennifer Cooney, Kyle Lovett, Erin Finkbiner, Cy Finkbiner, and Ryan Yant; and by eight great-grandchildren; cousins, nephews, and nieces, and especially his sister-in-law, Cathy.

The Lovett family wishes to thank the home-care extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion from Saint Vincent Catholic Church for their ministry to Bill and Lee during these past few years.