July 5, 1937 – October 6, 2024
William Ivor Adair was born on July 5, 1937, in Rifle, Colorado, to Edwin Ivor Adair and Ada Martha Boardman as the third child and only son of four. William passed on October 6, 2024, at his home, surrounded by family.
William grew up in Colorado and attended school there. In 1951, he came to Moab and stayed with Roy and Sadie Holyoak and their family and attended Grand County High School, graduating in 1955. He served in the Gulf States Mission from 1957 to 1959. He served in the U.S. National Guard from 1962 to 1968. He attended Brigham Young University in Provo, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism in 1962.
William worked in the uranium industry with his father in several locations in Colorado and New Mexico. He moved back to Moab in 1966, where he worked with Dan Holyoak as a real estate salesman. In 1967, he was hired by the State of Utah Seventh District Juvenile Court, a job he held until retirement in 1997.
William married Joyce Helen Udy in the Salt Lake City temple on April 12, 1968. Six children were born to this family: Niels, Mary, Emily, Erin, Nathan and Joel. William was a devoted husband and father, always providing well for his family and prioritizing their needs ahead of his own.
He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many callings. He especially loved serving in the Monticello Utah Temple, which he did for twelve years.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce; children, Niels (Provo), Mary and Emily of Moab, Nathan (Kaisa) of Turku, Finland, and Joel of Salt Lake City; two grandsons, William and Mathies of Finland; sisters, Elinore Rolapp and Alice Halterman; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Erin; and sister, Ethel Ball.
A small graveside service was held on Thursday, October 10 at 1 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. A formal memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 19 at 11 a.m., at the LDS Stake Center (701 Locust Lane, Moab).Family and friends are invited to share tributes online at www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com.
