Cheryl Jean Willey

Cheryl Jean Willey, age 78, passed away on July 25, 2025 at her home encircled by her loving family. She endured living with Alzheimer’s for 7 years and remained a fearless and courageous example to us all.

Cheryl was born on March 24, 1947, to Clayton and Janice Skrede in Viroqua, Wisconsin. She was the oldest of three children and was raised in a strong & loving home. As a child, she loved to spend her summers on her grandparent’s farm with her sisters, attend her Girl Scout Troop and was a member of the Lutheran Church.

Cheryl graduated from Mundelein High School in Illinois. During her high school days, she enjoyed singing in the choir, was elected a member of the National Honor Society, worked at the Piggly Wiggly food store and earned enough money to buy her treasured 1955 Chevy.

In 1965, she drove to Chicago to see the Beatles in concert. They have remained her favorite band, and she shared the love of their music with her children.

At 19, she traveled to Utah and completed 2 years of college at Brigham Young University. In 1966 she was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by her future husband and companion, Richard Willey. She secured a job in the Genealogy Department and completed a genealogy course which sparked a lifelong calling and passion for family history. This passion remained strong her entire life. She has submitted more than 10,000 names to the temple and has taught countless others how to do family history.

Richard and Cheryl were married on August 30, 1967 and were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. They have enjoyed 58 years of marriage together and had 5 beautiful children Christine, Michelle, Mark, Carolyn and Jennifer. Christine and Mark returned to their heavenly home as infants where they have been waiting patiently to embrace their mother.

Cheryl was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She was a natural at cooking, baking, canning, sewing, painting, gardening, crocheting and teaching. She loved to camp at Zion National Park, take her boat out on the lake or beat you at a game of cards. Her family loved her playful sense of humor, tender heart and sense of adventure.

As a devoted member of the Church her testimony never wavered. She served in many leadership positions in her ward and stake. She found great joy in serving others, family history and teaching Gospel Doctrine. She loved to attend the temple and cherished the opportunity to show her children how to love and follow the Savior.

In her professional career, she was a successful Office Manager for a large cardiology clinic and later managed a major Internal Medicine Clinic at St. Marks Hospital. She was a natural leader, very efficient, and task driven.

Cheryl is survived by her beloved husband, Richard Willey, daughters, Michelle (Steve) Johnston, Carolyn (Trent) Heemeyer, Jennifer (Sean) Nerdin, sister Janet Grant, 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her children, Christine and Mark, parents Clayton and Janice Skrede and sister Lana Newberg.

A special thanks to her husband, Richard. He spent every waking moment caring for her. He showed her patience, love, tenderness and compassion. You are her Hero!!

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the Crescent 9th Ward Chapel on 10375 S Leilani Drive, Sandy, UT. Viewings will take place at the same location on Friday, August 1st, from 6:00-8:00 PM and Saturday, August 2nd from 9:30-10:30 AM. Cheryl will be laid to rest in the Bountiful City Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.