Our father, grandfather, husband, brother, and friend, William Steven Pendleton, age 79, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, June 25th, 2023. Steven, known to his grandchildren as “Papa Jelly Bean” for his pocket full of Jelly Bellies, was born on November 8th, 1943 in Spanish Fork, Utah to Joshua Lynn Pendleton and Zelma Ann Lewis Pendleton.

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Steven grew up as a middle child in a happy family with three brothers and two sisters, whom he loved very much. He graduated from Spanish Fork High School in 1962, where he was smitten with a beautiful blond girl named Karolyn Webb. As fate would have it, Karolyn moved away and married someone else, and Steven went on to college and to the army where he served for a time in Germany.

Steven pursued his higher education at Utah State University where he almost became a professional student! He finally graduated with a degree in special education.

In Steven’s years as a confirmed bachelor, he was a caring and supportive uncle, and did much to help support many of his nieces and nephews as well as his siblings.

He was a tile setter in his professional life, and took great pride in doing quality work and giving his all in the effort, especially his knees and his back. He was part owner in a company called Metro Tile for several years, and later did work for the church setting tile in temples.

Later in life, at age 50, he reconnected with his highschool sweetheart, Karolyn, and they married on June 12th,1993 in their hometown of Spanish Fork. Along with that marriage he adopted her five children. A big change, to say the least. He said goodbye to his quiet life, fastened his seatbelt, and braced himself for the bumpy road of fatherhood. He settled into his new role nicely, providing for and loving each child as his own.

Steven was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved the outdoors and took every opportunity to spend time in nature. No temperature was too low or drive too long. He enjoyed this time (whether on boat, land, water or ice) talking to family and friends while waiting for a nibble from the perfect catch. His love for fishing lives on in some of his children and several of his grandchildren. The hunting….not so much.

He loved to garden and was always happy to show off his bounty to visiting grandchildren. He grew the best tomatoes this side of the Mississippi. He took joy in the simple things: his family, a good book, a bowl of ice cream, sitting on the porch swing, a refrigerator full of soda, tending to his wildflowers, counting the hummingbirds that frequented his feeders, going to the movies with friends, and telling (and retelling) stories. He was a man of few words, but many emotions. Like his own father, he rarely could get through a prayer without crying. To some, his exterior was rough, but his heart was good and he conveyed that in quiet ways. He recently saw the movie “A Man Called Otto” and told his daughter, “If anyone wants to understand me, they just need to watch this movie”.

Steven was an active and devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He had a deep love for the Savior and a strong testimony of the gospel. He shared it in several ways, both big and small, with those around him. Together, he and his wife served as missionaries at Temple Square for three years.

Steven is survived by his wife, Karolyn; five children, Nathan (Heather), Justin (Heidi), Shannon (Colby) Beal, Kiersten (Nathan) Devore, and Kathryn (Justin) Santistevan. Also surviving are five siblings, Joel (Deanna), John (Kathy), Lynda Bingham, David (Carla), Mary (Morgan) Warner, a sister cousin, DeAnna Padilla, and twenty adoring grandchildren.

In life, Steven experienced a great deal of physical pain and we are relieved in knowing that he is free of those earthly ailments. We take comfort in knowing that he is happy and with his loved ones that preceded him in death, specifically his parents, his Grandpa Lewis, and his grandson, Ethan Beesley.