He was a kind face and with a gentle heart, and when Bill Hugh Talbot was with his folks at the Freedom Festival Balloon Fest he was his very best.

Talbot died Dec. 13, 2017, at age 74. This year, Talbot will be honored with a special hot air balloon tradition at the Balloon Fest.

A balloon will sit tethered for two days in his honor. On the third day, it will fly in honor of the 34 years of service Talbot gave to the Freedom Festival and for the life he lead.

More than three decades ago, Talbot was asked to organize and host the hot air balloon festival. He said yes. When he accepted the challenge, his whole family joined him.

It was the highlight of the Fourth of July holiday for him and he served as chairman until a few months before he died.

In a tribute to Talbot in the Freedom Festival magazine, it read, “Always cheerful and smiling, Bill was a perfect example of focusing on the positive. America’s Freedom Festival is pleased to honor Bill and let his family know that he will be missed during this year’s Balloon Festival and for many years to come.”

Talbot was born Feb. 4, 1942, in Panguitch. He grew up with challenges in his life. He was born with club feet, a rare birth defect, causing his feet to be twisted out of shape. For that reason, it took him longer to learn how to walk.

The tribute also stated, “Bill had a gentle, kind, sweet and humble nature. He was very charitable and committed to serving his community. He befriended all.”

The public is invited to celebrate Talbot’s life by attending his favorite event, the Freedom Festival Hot Air Balloon Festival at 6 a.m. Monday through Wednesday at Fox Field just east of Utah Valley Hospital.