Van Hillas Washburn, Jr.
June 25, 1951 — March 12, 2022
Born to Van Hillas Washburn and Nellie Mecham Washburn in Provo, Utah. The oldest of 9 children, Van was looked up to by his younger siblings for his selflessness and hardworking mentality. He graduated from Provo High School in 1969 and promptly enrolled in the Marines. Van served in the Marine Corps from 1969 to 1974. He went to boot camp in 1969 and received combat training at Camp Pendleton in California. He was Second Battalion 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division.
He was awarded the following medals:
Bronze Star with Valor “V”, Armed Forces Expeditionary Silver Star, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Purple Heart, Navy/ Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Vietnam Campaign, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Naval Unit Citation, Expert Rifleman, Merit Unit Citation, Expert Pistol, and Korean Presidential Unit Citation. He was very proud to have served his country.
After service to his country, Van returned to Utah to work at the Postal Service. He met the love of his life, Charlotte Mae Bair, while cruising down Provo Center Street. After having only met the one time, Van told his friends “I’m going to marry that girl.” They were married June 20, 1975, at the Presbyterian Church in American Fork, Utah. They had three children, the best daughter anyone ever could have asked for, and two incredible twin sons.
We were very blessed to have been able to spend so much time with our father and husband. He was present for every school function, sporting event, and family get-together. He enjoyed spending time with his family, whether it was baseball, football or basketball, out camping, hunting, or fishing. He was infamous for his unusual way of calling games from behind the home plate at baseball games. He was a life-long BYU Football fan.
He loved his family deeply and gave everything he had to them. You never had to question his loyalty to you, if Van loved you, you knew it.
Van and Charlotte were blessed with 6 grandchildren. They were the light of his life. He looked forward to visits from them and attending all their school functions and sporting events. You could count on Papa to be there, cheering you on from the sidelines, then offering all kinds of advice to you after the game.
Van made it easy to love him. He was a big man, with an even bigger heart. He didn’t have to wonder if he was loved. He was told multiple times a day by everyone around him.
He will be sorely missed.
He is survived by his beautiful wife, Charlotte; his daughter Cari and son-in-law Kenneth, their children Trey and Alsace; his son Dietric and his daughter Kelsie; his son Tyson and daughter-in-law Amy, their children Brylee, Jace, and Tayden.
A small family celebration of life will be planned at a later date.
You may send condolences to the family at: VHWfamily@gmail.com.