Bill "Bill Longhurst" Longhurst

Joseph William (Bill) Longhurst, 93, of Iona, left us to live with our Heavenly Father on February 26, 2012, at Presidential Living Center in Idaho Falls of natural causes. He was under the care of Hearts of Hospice. Bill was born January 17, 1919, in Lincoln, Idaho, to Joseph Longhurst and Josephine Ione Hain Longhurst. Bill was a resident of Iona for 93 years. He attended schools in Iona and graduated from Iona High School. Bill married his beautiful wife of over 70 years, Zenna Mickelsen, on November 15, 1941, in Iona. Their marriage was solemnized in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple. They had seven children, Dennis, Vicki, Linda, Nancy Jo, Murray, Laurie, and David. Bill had a love of farming and found great joy in growing wheat and feed barley on his family dry farm. He also worked during the winters at the U-I Sugar Factory in Lincoln for about 20 years. Bill was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many positions, including Bishop and Counselor in the Iona Stake Presidency. He served a mission with his wife at the Idaho Falls Temple Visitors Center. He was President of the Iona Lion’s Club, and served as a member of the soil conservation board. Bill loved sports, coached baseball and basketball, and was an avid gardener. His greatest loves were his family and singing – especially with his wife. Bill is preceded in death by his parents and three siblings, Vera Longhurst Woffinden, Erma Longhurst Jorda, Victor Longhurst and son-in-law Bill West. He is survived by his wife, Zenna, and their children, Dennis M. (DyAna) Longhurst, Vicki (Kenneth) Longhurst Baldwin, Linda West, Nancy Jo (Cecil) Wilde, Murray W. (Clairene) Longhurst, Laurie (Michael) Rinck, David Scott (Jana) Longhurst. He is also survived by 32 grandchildren and 49 great-grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 2, 2012, at the Iona LDS Stake Center, 7555 North 55 East, with Bishop Robert Bodily officiating. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road, and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Friday at the church. Burial will be in the Iona Cemetery.

Funeral Services -- Friday

11:00 a.m. ,Friday, March 2, 2012 Iona LDS Stake Center 7555 North 55 East Idaho Falls, ID 83401 Notes: The family will visit with friends Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road, and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Friday at the church. Burial will be in the Iona Cemetery.