Philip Hepworth

Philip Squire Hepworth, resident of Washington, Utah since 1978, left his mortal body and entered the Spirit World at 4:40 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2018. He was 102 years old and lived a long, healthy and productive life in service to God, family and country. A lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Philip loved the Lord Jesus Christ and found joy in serving him and his fellow man throughout his life. Philip is survived by his children, Charlotte, Brentwood, Thornton Kimball, and Kenneth Bryce, who love and revere their father with gratitude and devotion. Philip died of congestive heart failure in his sleep while at home. Philip’s wife, Winnie Gubler Hepworth, died in 1993 at the age of 76. She was an angelic woman filled with love and compassion.

Philip was born on May 1, 1916 in Springdale, Utah, where his pioneer family carved out a living in sparse times before, during and after the Great Depression. The youngest of 9 children, Philip grew to love Zion National Park, and his esoteric knowledge of the history and geographical features of the park led several authors of commercial books on Zion to consult him for information unavailable from other sources.

Philip supported his family by working for Southwest Gas Corporation in Las Vegas, Nevada for 36 years. He retired with company management’s sincerest accolades and generous compensation for his dedicated service and loyalty.

Philip was also an accomplished wood craftsman. Hundreds of people in Southern Utah and the western United States own one of his wood creations, be it a nightstand, vanity, chest of drawers, banana hanger, napkin holder, or some other unique piece of furniture. Most of his designs featured wood species native to southern Utah which he personally gathered in the wild.

Philip’s church service included serving as president of the 168th Quorum of Seventy, Executive Secretary to two bishops, Finance Clerk to two bishops and one stake president, Temple Worker, and missionary at the Bishop’s Storehouse in Washington, Utah. He always enjoyed serving, and many of his relatives and friends recall stories he would tell about spiritual guidance and divine intervention in his callings.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 1:00 pm at the Springdale Cemetery. Family members, relatives and friends are invited to attend the service and witness his burial.