Wilford Valentine Stay about 21 years old

Family Picture    About 1960

I was born in a house which now has the address of 3285 South 1575 East, February 14, 1897. My mothers name is Mary Cornelia Woodbury Stay and my father is Joseph Hyrum Stay. My father died when I was less than two years old so my mother raised nine children alone. I am the youngest. I lived on this farm which extends from 33rd South to the Old Hoagland Ditch where Bishop Vance lives and west to the old 40 line. This was a fruit farm and a grape vineyard. Also this was the place where my older sisters washed my neck and ears and gave me a bad time. I probably deserved it because this also was the place where I broke my arm washing dishes while standing on a rocking chair. The doctor put it in a cast and I tore it off one week later while I was under the table. This left my right arm a little crooked.

The grade schools I attended were Wilford, North, Roosevelt, Forest Dale, Irving and Granite High School.

When I was a small boy, I lived on the fruit farm with my mother. My sister, Catherine, and I used to pick cherries and strawberries for our spending money. When I got older about twelve, I carried newspapers with a cart and white horse all through East Millcreek. I had an experience when the horse kicked at me while going down Smarts Hill. His foot went over the single tree and he went down hill on three legs, then fell. I took some wire off a fence and repaired the cart. The horse never kicked again.

I went to Granite High School for three years. After this I went to work for Spark, a candy company. I quit there after a short time to drive team for Murphy Candy Company. After I left there, I went to selling tea and coffee for Samrock Company. They became a wholesale house only so they gave me their horse and wagon and I put up the goods at home. They wanted me to pay a jobbers license so I quit that job. My next job was at Utah Light and Traction Company. I worked twelve hours a day. While working there I asked John F. Gunn for his daughter, Rhoda. We were on the street car at the time. My work at the car barn consisted of rolling car wheels which weighed about 400 pounds, to the grinder,putting up armatures under the cars and also repairing the box cars. I stepped on a rusty spike while working there and had to go the hospital.

I married Rhoda Deseret Gunn in the Salt Lake Temple on June 14, 1917 and have been happily married ever since. We have had seven children who we are proud of. They have all married good men and women. They all belong to the church and keep the Word of Wisdom. There are three boys, Wilford G., Val G.,and Dennis G. Stay and four girls, Myrtle Wixom, Fern Rice, Betty Baily, and VaLois Strait. Dennis, Val and Betty have all been on missions.

After leaving the car barn, I worked for the Rio Grande Railroad during the first world war. I served my time as boiler maker, bucking rivets and mauling sheet iron. This was during 1915 to 1918. They wouldn't let us enlist so this held me out of the war. I never followed this trade. Then I tried salesman work but I ended up as a civil engineer. I started at the bottom driving stakes and being the chain man and worked myself up to chief of a party for the Salt Lake City Engineer Department. I have worked here for 43 years.

While surveying a pipe line across Parley's Canyon, I got in some poison ivy. It made me real sick and I think about killed me. A little while after this I had a heart attack. Then one year later another one. During my time I have had three heart attacks and never lost one day of pay. The Lord has been good to me for saving my life and blessed me very much.

I have worked 43 years in engineering and my job for the last six years since my illness has been office engineer. hope to retire March 1st 1962.

During my life I have had many church duties. I was baptised by Levi North, March 25, 1905 in Lucks Canal. On March 12, 1939, I was ordained a Seventy by Rufus K. Hardy. May 25th 1952 I was ordained a High Priest by Holger P. Peterson. I have been Mutual President for two years; Secretary of the Deacons, Elders and High Priest Quorums; Ward Home Teacher, Aaronic Priesthood Advisor, coach of M Men basketball and 1st Assistant to the Genealogy Committee.

In January of 1963, Bishop Ralf Polei, came to our home to interview us about going on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

We received our call February 11, 1963 to go to the Western States Mission. We left Salt Lake City in a blizzard on the 10th day of March and traveled to Denver in a blizzard all the way.

We arrived in Denver the 11th of March. The next day we were sent to Bridgeport, Nebraska. We lived in a three room apartment at 821 P Street for three months. We were able to rent a very nice home later and were very comfortable. On August 25, 1963, I was set apart as First Counselor to President Robison, the Branch President.

We were transferred to McCook, Nebraska on 5 December 1963. Val was made Branch President and I became Relief Society President.

Moved to 701 West 1st in McCook. Only two rooms but larger than the other place. Added some personal touches to make it more homey. A terrible bed! You would think you were in a hammock. I had to put a pillow under my back to lie straight. Mrs. Fisher bought a new bed for us.

January 10, 1964 (Excerpt from journal)

Ten months ago we left Salt Lake. It has been a varied experience. Some happy, some sad. It is a real challenge for us in McCook. If we can just be humble enough to have the help of the Lord to guide us, I think that we might be able to accomplish those things He wants us to do. Only through our faith and prayers will this be done.

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