Paul Ballard Wakefield

1938 – 2023

Paul Ballard Wakefield passed away on November 27, 2023. He was born to Theo L. Wakefield and Elizabeth Bischoff on December 28, 1938. As a teen, his family moved to Salt Lake City, UT, near his father’s hometown. While attending Olympus High School, he received a full scholarship to Stanford University to study Electrical Engineering and moved to California at age seventeen. He met Bonnie Stark in 1959, and they married in 1960. Paul graduated from Stanford and worked in the emerging tech industry. He was proud to have worked on electronic components used in the Apollo moon missions. After ten years in California, Paul and Bonnie returned to Utah to be close to family. They and remained in the same home and ward for over 50 years to raise their family.

Paul was a hard worker, curious learner, devout LDS member, and committed family man. He loved BYU football, history, genealogy, boating trips to Lake Powell, spending time with and traveling to see family, ward activities, and ice cream. He loved watching his boys playing baseball or any other sport and would not miss a game. Above all else, he valued spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters, and larger family. His young grandchildren, with their unconditional love and lack of judgement, brought some of the greatest joy to his life.

Paul is survived by: his wife Bonnie Stark Wakefield; three sisters Mary Beth Williams, Susan (Gary) Winters, and Ellen Grundvig; four children Todd (Elizabeth), Joey (Alisa), Amy Draper, and Andy; and 14 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his brother Richard Warren, his two children Wendy Jo and Daniel Allen, and his grandson Aaron James.

By his wishes, Paul will be cremated. A reception and funeral services will be held Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. in the Sunset Heights 6th Ward LDS Chapel located at 500 South 600 West, Orem, UT 84058. Thanks for everything, Dad–We Love You!

For full life story and to leave condolences for the family please visit www.sundbergolpinmortuary.com.