William Leslie Utnage

William Leslie Utnage Jr. of Garland, Texas died on February 3, 2019. Bill was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on November 10, 1928. He graduated in chemical engineering from the University of Missouri, Rolla. He would later receive graduate degrees in safety engineering and nuclear energy at Washington University in St. Louis. After serving in the Army, Bill returned to work at Mallinckrodt Chemical Company in St. Louis and Glidden Paint Company in Cleveland, followed by a significant and successful career at Kerr-McGee Corporation in Oklahoma City. He later taught as Adjunct Professor in Chemistry at the University of Central Oklahoma. Bill is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife, Virginia Utnage, son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Brenda Utnage of Peoria, Illinois, daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Keith Wright of Forney, Texas; grandchildren and spouses: Meghan and Jon Garner, Amy and David Harris, Christy and Johnny Antle, Kevin and Tyler Wright; four great-grandchildren; nephew and spouse, Michael and Debbie Maczuk and family; niece and spouse, Nancy and David McCahan. Bill was actively involved at their church, Metropolitan Baptist Church, in Oklahoma City, followed by faithful membership at Lake Ridge Bible Church in Mesquite, Texas for many years. For two decades he served with the state and international Gideons ministry, as well as serving as a chaplain in both jails and Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Garland. Bill’s legacy of intellectual astuteness, integrity, leadership, humor, care, and Christian faith leaves a deep and abiding impression on his family and friends. His life stands as a witness to the love and grace of God in Jesus Christ, his Savior, whose eternal embrace he is enjoying. Memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. at New Hope Funeral Home in Sunnyvale, Texas, on February 23.