William Edward Bunker
1860 - 1945

William Edward Bunker died in Salt Lake City, Friday, August 31 at the age of 85 years. Mr. Bunker was one of the old time Deltans, coming here in 1907 to help colonize this region and build up the town. He farmed here south of town, neighboring the Jeffery far- ming operations. Mr. Bunker was born in Ogden Jan. 11, 1860, a son of Edward and Sarah Ann Browning Bunker. He was among those who established Bunkerville, and Mesquite, Nev. the the L.D.S. Church, directed by Brigham Young. Mr. Bunker was always active in L.D.S. Church affairs, and served 17 years in the bishopric of the Delta ward. Some years ago, he and Mrs. Bunker moved to Manti, where he served as a worker in the Temple, and for the past six years they had made their home in Salt Lake City, where he also worked in the Temple. He had been a high priest since 1909.

Mr. Bunker built the first brick home in Delta, and it was one of the first ones of any kind. He was the first superintendent of the Sunday School for the Delta LDS ward. He was a member of the Melville Irrigation Company board for a number of years and was among those who helped build the Uba Dam and also the diversion dam, and canal system distribution water to the Melville tract. He lived in Delta for 26 years, and spent the most active years of his life here, helping to develop the country from the brush state to a successful farming area. He was a successful farmer here. Mr. Bunker married Sara Vilage Burgess, Oct. 4, 1880, who died in 1897. He married Emma Iverson in 1900.

He is survived by his widow and eight sons and daughters: Edward H. Bunker, Mrs. Eliza Jane Taylor, William L. Bunker, all of Delta; Mrs. Amanda Ann Dewsnup, Deseret; Owen Bunker, Mrs. Grace Peterson, Mrs. Jetta Hepworth, Salt Lake City, and Mrs Dorothy Hansen, Vernal. there are 7 brothers, D. A. Bunker, Long Beach, Cal.; Martin, John and Robert Bunker of Las Vegas, Hector, Bunkerville, Nevada; Francis Bunker, Arizona; Ezra Bunker, Salt Lake City; two sisters, Mrs. Della Lisonbee, Delta, and Mrs. Viola Earl, St. George. Mr. Bunker is survived by 48 grandchildren, 101 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great- grandchildren.

Funeral services were held in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, and burial was held in Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.