This is your life-Bill and Desma Stowell of Nephi, Utah

Before my memory is completely gone, we will jot down a few notes about one of my cousins-Desma Jones and her husband Bill Stowell, and what I recall of them, along with the photo of the Nephi home they raised their kids in. Desma was born in 1908, at the Jones farm house located two blocks west of the railroad tracks on Fifth North, where a Garrett cousin has now built their home. She is the daughter of Joseph and Maude Jones. Desma was active in the LDS church, being a teacher and secretary of the Primary and M.I.A; Relief Society and Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. She worked part time at what was called the Nephi Garment Center. Her hobbies were painting, crocheting and helping the family vegetable and flower garden which covered the area between their home and the Old Hollow. Bill was born in 1895 at Colonia Juarez, Mexico, which was a Mormon hideout, when the United States government came to lock up LDS people involved in polygamy. Bill was born on a cattle ranch, and worked it until the Mexican Revolution, which forced the Mormons to leave their homes and all possessions. Bill had seven full siblings and 13 half siblings. They relocated to Texas then to Provo, Utah. While in Mexico, Bill learned how to run fast as it was unclear who the real desperados were. He took advantage of his foot speed at BYU and excelled as a long distant runner. While not in college, he worked for the U.S. Government in surveying, spending time in the mines of Park City and West Juab County. While in the big boom down of Eureka, he was smitten by a visiting gal from Nephi-Desma Jones. They got hitched in Ely, Nevada, then later solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple. Their first abode was in Ruth, Nevada, then the Great Depression hit, which caused them to come to Nephi, which was their real home anyway. Their kids are Faye who died while giving birth to a child; then Betty Rae; Roger, Steven, Marilyn, then bringing up the rear is Richard Stowell. Bill passed away in 1982; Desma in 1993. I recall Bill as a devoted family man; bug and weed sprayer and seller of coal. He could & would do any work to provide for his kids. He was also a Scout Master and head man of the Utah Suffolk Sheep Show, which was a big deal in those days. My hat goes off to Bill, a hard working man and to my cousin-Desma, who came from good stock, but also a devoted mother; wife and caregiver for those in need.