Alumni

Alphabetical Alumni

Sorenson, Peggy

Peggy Sorenson

Class of 1979. Peggy Sorenson.

Wayne and Lael Sorenson

Faculty & Staff. Thirteenth Principal of BY High School from 1950 to 1952. In 1947-1948 he taught Science & Mathematics at BYH. Guidance Counselor. Taught 1952-1953. Wayne L. Sorenson died on August 26, 2004 at 88 years of age. Wayne was born August 21, 1916 in Malad, Idaho, the oldest of 10 children from parents Golden Sorenson and Ione Blasdell Sorenson. His childhood was divided between homesteading farmland in the Pocatello Valley and an earnest pursuit of learning and education. Early on, Wayne distinguished himself during difficult times with the capacity for hard work, shouldering responsibilities with his large family. Wayne graduated from Brigham Young University in 1940 and married Lael Ellertson, June 6, 1940. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. Wayne was a life-long teacher and educator, touching thousands of students, parents and teachers during his long professional career. He started teaching in 1940 and in 1952 [actually 1950 through 1952] was appointed principal of BYU High School in Provo, Utah. Soon after, he went to Stanford University, earning a doctorate in 1956. Wayne worked in many capacities at the Hayward Unified School District, retiring in 1977 as Assistant Superintendent. He loved numbers and quantifying natural events. Wayne enjoyed gardening, was an amateur weatherman and became a Bay Area earthquake expert. Wayne is survived by Lael, his loving wife of more than 64 years, and his children, Jan Berry-Kadrie and Alex Kadrie of Woodacre, CA; Boyd and Liane Sorenson of Hockessin, Delaware; and Diane and Kent Sanders of Walport, Oregon. Wayne and Lael have 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Memorial Services were held at at the LDS Ward House, Fremont, CA. Burial was at the Mona, Utah Cemetery.

Southwick, Albert J.

Albert Southwick

Classes of 1913 and 1917. Albert Southwick. Graduated from Brigham Young High School, in the Academic Department. Source 1: 1913 BYU Banyan yearbook, BYH section, pages 63-81. ~ ~ ~ ~ Class of 1913. Albert J. Southwick. He received a High School Diploma in 1913. Source 2: Annual Record, B.Y. University, Book 6, page 73. ~ ~ ~ ~ Class of 1917. Albert J. Southwick. He received a BYH Music Diploma in 1917. Source: Annual Record, B.Y. University, Book 6, page 73.

Southwick, Delcie
Bountiful, Utah US

Delcie and Christen Stenberg

Class of 1920. Delcie [not Debie] Southwick. She received a BYH Normal Certificate in 1920. Source: Annual Record, B.Y. University, Book 10, page 332. ~ ~ ~ ~ Delcie Southwick was born on January 6, 1900 in Lehi, Utah. Her parents were William Edward Southwick and Christina Peterson Southwick. Delcie Southwick (23) of Lehi, Utah, married Christen Vermont Stenberg (26) of Salt Lake City, Utah on January 10, 1923 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Delcie Southwick Stenberg died on June 19, 1978 in Bountiful, Utah.

Southwick, Edna [Sowthwick,]
Salt Lake City, Utah US

Edna and Theodore Sundberg

Class of 1910. Edna Sowthwick (actually Southwick). Graduated from Brigham Young High School in 1910, in the Normal Department. Source: 1910 BYU Banyan, BYH section, list on p. 83. ~ ~ ~ ~ Edna Southwick was born on June 21, 1889 in Mapleton, Utah. Her parents were Arthur James Southwick and Laura Josephine Williams Southwick. She married Theodore Richelieu Sundberg on March 28, 1919. He was born on September 1, 1886 in Park City, Utah. His parents were Theodore Reginald Sundberg and Flora Samantha Harvey. He died on December 14, 1921 at about the age of 35. She died on May 27, 1965 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Interment, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Southwick, G. Merlin [George Merlin]
Salt Lake City, Utah US

Merlin and Mary Southwick

Class of 1911. G. Merlin Southwick, of Lehi, Utah. Commercial. A child of destiny. Will revolutionize Lehi's banking methods and prevent all future crises. Would speak if asked a question that demanded an answer. ~ ~ ~ ~ George Merlin Southwick was born on February 1, 1892 in Lehi, Utah. His parents were George Franklin Southwick and Julia Ann Zimmerman Southwick. He married Mary Josephine Hansen on September 23, 1920. He died on October 1, 1971 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Interment, Salt Lake City, Utah. They had 13 children; among the Southwick's children were twin daughters, born circa 1935. ~ ~ ~ ~ Merlin Southwick appears in a photograph of the BYH Commercial Class taken in 1909 -- 20 students all wearing identical outfits with a big "C" on their jerseys.

Southworth, Alice B.

Alice Smithson

Class of 1919. Alice B. Southworth [Smithson]. She received a BYH Normal Certificate in 1919. Source: Annual Record, B.Y. University, Book 10, page 200.

Southworth, Mettie
Provo, Utah US

Mettie Southworth

Faculty & Staff. Mettie Southworth, Training School & Music teacher, 1879-1884.

Sowards, Anthony [Wilbur Anthony]
Provo, Utah US

Tony and Ruth Sowards

Class of 1927. Anthony "Tony" Soward [actually Wilbur Anthony Sowards]. Anthony is pictured with the BYH Class of 1927 in the BYU Banyan yearbook, BYH section. ~ ~ ~ ~ HIS OBITUARY: Wilbur Anthony ``Tony'' Sowards, beloved husband and devoted father and grandfather, passed away on July 29, 1994 in Provo. Born August 4, 1908, to Wilbur Sowards and Bertha Holtsclaw Sowards in Manassa, Colorado. The family moved to Vernal, Utah where Tony received his early education. Following a move to Provo, where he attended Brigham Young High School, he graduated from Brigham Young University and attended Standford University EDP. He was an active member of the LDS Edgemont Fifth Ward. He served as Stake Auditor for many years. He also served as an ordinance worker in the Provo Temple. An avid scouter, he served as a vice-president in the Utah National Parks Council and was the recipient of a Silver Beaver Award. Tony was a tax auditor for the Utah State Tax Commission and retired as an auditor and accountant for U.S. Steel after over 30 years of service in Chicago, San Francisco, and Geneva Steel. Tony was active in tennis circles for many years. He was a member of the Riverside Country Club where he served on the Board of Directors and the Finance Committee. He was a member of the National Association of Accountants and Internal Auditor organizations. He married Ruth Smith [BYH Class of 1939], of Provo, in Santa Cruz, California. The marriage was later solemnized in the Manti Temple. He is survived by his wife and four children: Diane Merrill (David), Renton, Washington; Paul A. Sowards (Karen), Albuquerque, New Mexico; Mark S. Sowards (Lila), Orem, Utah; and Jane Sowards, Lindon, Utah. He is also survived by ten grandchildren; also surviving are four sisters: Josephine Sowards Strong, Sacramento; California; Myrtle Sowards DeHart, Logan, Utah; Beulah Sowards Bucher and Jewell Sowards Bybee, both of Salt Lake City, Utah; brother, Clifford Sowards, Salt Lake City. He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, August 3, 1994 at the Berg Drawing Room Chapel, Provo. Internment, Provo City Cemetery [Deseret News, Sunday, July 31, 1994] ~ ~ ~ ~ OBITUARY OF HIS WIFE: Ruth Smith Sowards, 86, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 after a full and happy life. Ruth was born in Provo, Utah, on July 10, 1921, to John Sims and Myrtle Hone Smith. She grew up in Provo and graduated from B.Y. High School in 1939. She attended Utah State University in Logan and worked for J.C. Penney, Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Co., and Geneva Steel. Ruth married Wilbur Anthony "Tony" Sowards on May 3, 1947, in Santa Cruz, California. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti Temple on April 30, 1966. They were the parents of four children. Tony passed away in 1994. Ruth was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and she served in various callings related to scouting and in many other ward and stake positions. She received the Silver Beaver Award, the Provo Peak Award, and many other honors for her years of dedicated service to the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. She helped countless young men to gain their Citizenship merit badges. Ruth loved to golf and was a longtime member of the Riverside Country Club. She helped organize numerous tournaments and greatly enjoyed her involvement with the Riverside Ladies Golf Association and Riverside's junior golf program. An avid reader and writer, she was especially fond of poetry and penned several dozen poems throughout her life. Ruth was also a devoted sports fan, following the fortunes of the Cougars and the Jazz. She spent time helping and serving others. She was an excellent cook. Ruth had a wonderful sense of humor and the ability to make others feel loved and appreciated. She was an unselfish, helpful, and caring person and was a friend to all. Ruth is survived by her four children: Diane Sowards (David) Merrill, Renton, Washington; Paul (Karen) Sowards, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Mark (Lila) Sowards, Orem, Utah; and Jane Sowards (Martel) Jensen, Tucson, Arizona. She has 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She was also survived, but only for a few hours, by her sister, Marjorie Smith [BYH Class of 1932] Hyatt, of Boise, Idaho, who died on April 17, 2008. She was preceded in death by two brothers, John Aldwyn Smith and Paul Hone Smith. Funeral services were held on Monday, April 21, 2008 at the Mojave Chapel, 3050 N. Mojave Lane, Provo. Interment, Provo City Cemetery, 610 South State St. The family suggested that, in lieu of flowers, friends make a donation to their local scouting program. [Provo Daily Herald, April 19, 2008.]

Sowards, Athalia Gay
Spanish Fork, Utah US

Gay and Fred Lewis

Class of 1931. Gay Sowards. She was a member of the BYH Peppettes during the 1930-1931 school year, according to the 1931 BYU Banyan yearbook. We are assuming that she graduated that same year. ~ ~ ~ ~ HER OBITUARY: Athalia Gay Sowards Lewis, 94, died June 18, 2010. She was born August 13, 1915 in Manassa, Colorado, to Fannie Jackson and Willard Louis Sowards. She married Fred Amos Lewis August 19, 1933 in Spanish Fork, Utah. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. Her husband died on May 28, 1988. She was the last survivor of her generation in her family and is a member of the LDS Church. She loved the Bible and Jesus Christ. She had a keen sense of humor and enjoyed gardening and traveling. She is survived by four daughters, Toye JoAnne Sowards (Leland L., deceased) DeLange; Nancy Sowards (Verl) Lamb; Linda Sowards (Fred) Paulson; and Lora Lee Sowards (Howard, deceased) Knight; 38 grandchildren, 73 great- grandchildren and 23 great- great-grandchildren. A viewing will be held at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 So. Redwood Road, Taylorsville, Wed., June 23, 2010, 6 to 8 PM. Graveside services will be at Spanish Fork, Utah Cemetery, Thursday, June 24, 2010 at 11 a.m. [Provo Daily Herald,Sunday, June 20, 2010]

Sowards, Beatrice

Beatrice Skinner

Class of 1926. Beatrice Sowards. Source: 1926 BYU Banyan yearbook, BYH section. ~ ~ ~ ~ Her parents: Wilbur Sowards and Bertha Holtsclaw Sowards. Their children include: Beatrice Sowards [BYH Class of 1926] Skinner; Wilbur Anthony (Tony) Sowards; Josephine Sowards Strong, Sacramento; Calif.; Myrtle Sowards [BYH Class of 1930] DeHart, Logan, Utah; Beulah Sowards [BYH Class of 1933] Bucher, Salt Lake City; Ethelyn Mabel Sowards [BYH Class of 1937] (Vance Lynn) Young; Jewell Sowards [BYH Class of 1942] Bybee, Salt Lake City, Utah; Clifford Sowards, Salt Lake City.

Sowards, Beulah [Bea]
Salt Lake City, Utah US

Beulah [Bea]and John Bucher

Class of 1933. Beulah Sowards. ~ ~ ~ ~ Her parents: Wilbur Sowards and Bertha Holtsclaw Sowards. Their children include: Beatrice Sowards [BYH Class of 1926] Skinner; Wilbur Anthony (Tony) Sowards; Josephine Sowards Strong, Sacramento; California; Myrtle Sowards [BYH Class of 1930] DeHart, Logan, Utah; Beulah Sowards [BYH Class of 1933] Bucher, Salt Lake City; Ethelyn Mabel Sowards [BYH Class of 1937] (Vance Lynn) Young; Jewell Sowards [BYH Class of 1942] Bybee, Salt Lake City, Utah; Clifford Sowards, Salt Lake City. ~ ~ ~ ~ HER OBITUARY: Beulah Sowards Bucher. Our precious and beloved Mother was born in Vernal, Utah on January 7, 1914 to Wilbur and Bertha Sowards. She died Tuesday, December 5, 2006. She was 92 years young. Beulah was the sixth child in a wonderful family of nine children. When her parents sold the 'Acorn' mercantile in Vernal, they moved to Provo, Utah, where she attended B.Y. High, graduating in 1933, and later Brigham Young University. In 1930, Beulah or 'Bea' as she was known, went to Washington D.C. and at sixteen years of age became a member of the famed Denishawn Dance Troup of Ted Shawn and Ruth St. Denis - the forefathers of the Modern Dance Movement where a young Martha Graham was a fellow student. It was a radical thing to do at the time, for a young woman from Provo, Utah. She was about to tour South America when she decided to return home to continue her school. In 1934, Beulah was called on a mission to the Hawaiian Islands for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Along with her sister, Myrtle, Bea headed up the Primary. The Islands were magical then, with few hotels. Mother often spoke of her many wonderful friends like Eva Parker and many, many others that fill the pages of her glorious scrapbooks. After returning home and speaking at a ward meeting, she came face to face with the love of her life, John R. Bucher, who was also attending BYU. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on December 16, 1937. Having been together for 69 years, their love for each other was always present and felt by us all. Bea and John first moved to Sacramento, California when they were first married, then they moved to Salt Lake City, where they had their four children. Mother was active in the various wards they lived in, working as a teacher in both the Sunday School and the Primary. She loved the children she taught. She loved her visiting teachers and looked forward to their visits. Always putting others before herself, she encouraged and supported her family, promoting her children's talents and desires and was always proud of each and every one of their accomplishments. Mother always loved her garden and especially birds. There was always a canary at home that sang so beautifully. Her plants grew throughout our home like a forest. She was artistic and loved beauty and interior design. She encouraged many of our friends in the arts. Bea loved her home and adored her neighborhood. So many beloved neighbors became some of her closest friends. Always the chocolate lover, Mom's passion for chocolate was renown in our family. As a child, her father was always warned by her teachers that she would have to stop eating so much candy in school. Mother is survived by her husband, John R. Bucher, all her children, Gerrie Ann Bucher, John Richard Bucher II, Jyll and Jonathan Sweet and Jan Bucher, five grandchildren, Richard and MaeLei Bucher, Mark Bucher, Elizabeth Bucher, Sam Sweet and Noah Carmichael, and two great-grandchildren Sorelle and Jacob with one more on the way. Her sister, Jewel Sowards Bybee, and brother Clifford Sowards, also survive her, as does her daughter-in-law, Jean Bucher. A memorial service was held on Saturday, December 9, 2006 in Salt Lake City. Interment, Eastlawn Memorial Hills Cemetery, Provo, Utah. [Deseret News, December 7, 2006.]

Sowards, Diane
1733 Rolling Hills Avenue SE
Renton, Washington 98055-3727 US

Diane and David Merrill

Home: (425) 255-9285

Class of 1968. Diane Sowards. Chorus. BYU BS Education 1972. Married David W. Merrill: BYU BS Design & Graphics Technology 1978. @2010

Sowards, Ethelyn Mabel
Provo, Utah US

Ethelyn and Vance Young

Class of 1937. Ethelyn Sowards. Pep Club. Music. Notre Maison. Basketball. ~ ~ ~ ~ Ethelyn Mabel Sowards was born on June 7, 1920 in Vernal, Utah. Her parents were Wilbur Sowards and Bertha Holtsclaw. Ethelyn married Vance Lynn Young on June 12, 1948. She died on February 3, 1986 in Provo, Utah. ~ ~ ~ ~ Parents: Wilbur Sowards and Bertha Holtsclaw Sowards. Their children include: Beatrice Sowards [BYH Class of 1926] Skinner; Wilbur Anthony (Tony) Sowards; Josephine Sowards Strong, Sacramento; Calif.; Myrtle Sowards [BYH Class of 1930] DeHart, Logan, Utah; Beulah Sowards [BYH Class of 1933] Bucher, Salt Lake City; Ethelyn Mabel Sowards [BYH Class of 1937] (Vance Lynn) Young; Jewell Sowards [BYH Class of 1942] Bybee, Salt Lake City, Utah; Clifford Sowards, Salt Lake City.

Sowards, Jane
7507 West Summer Sky Drive
Tucson, Arizona 85743 US

Jane Sowards

Class of 1975. Jane Sowards. BYU BS Administrative Management 1989. BYU MBA 1987.

Sowards, Jewell
Salt Lake City, Utah US

Jewell Bybee

Class of 1942. Jewell Sowards. Fauvines. Notre Maison. ~ ~ ~ ~ Her parents: Wilbur Sowards and Bertha Holtsclaw Sowards. Their children include: Beatrice Sowards [BYH Class of 1926] Skinner; Wilbur Anthony (Tony) Sowards; Josephine Sowards Strong, Sacramento; Calif.; Myrtle Sowards [BYH Class of 1930] DeHart, Logan, Utah; Beulah Sowards [BYH Class of 1933] Bucher, Salt Lake City; Ethelyn Mabel Sowards [BYH Class of 1937] (Vance Lynn) Young; Jewell Sowards [BYH Class of 1942] Bybee, Salt Lake City, Utah; Clifford Sowards, Salt Lake City. ~ ~ ~ ~ HER OBITUARY: Jewell Sowards Bybee passed away peacefully with her daughter, Lori, at her bedside on August 25, 2014 at the age of 91. Jewell was born to Wilbur and Mary Lou Bertha Sowards on April 1, 1923, the youngest of eight children. She attended Brigham Young High School as well as Brigham Young University. She married Raymond Noall Bybee in the Salt Lake Temple; later divorced. She moved with her children to Sacramento, California where she held a position in the Admissions Department of Sacramento City College until her retirement. The love of family and faith ran deep in Jewell. She was a generous and caring daughter, mother, sister, aunt and grandmother as well as a loyal friend to her extended family. To Lori her daughter, she was a best friend and life-long companion. Jewell was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and worked in the Salt Lake Temple until just prior to her passing. She is survived by daughter Lori Bybee, Salt Lake City; son Roger Bybee [BYH Class of 1965] (Gail), two grandsons, Christopher and Alexander Bybee, New York City. She also is survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her son Jeffrey Bybee and daughter Kristen Sue Bybee [BYH Class of 1966~H]; her parents and her seven siblings. The family is grateful to the staff and doctors at Millcreek Home Health and Hospice for their kind and loving care of Jewell in her final days. Graveside services were held on Friday, August 29, 2014 at East Lawn Memorial Hills, 4800 North 650 East, Provo, Utah. [Berg Mortuary]

Sowards, Josephine
Sacramento, CA US

Josephine & Waldo Strong

Class of 1927. Josephine Sowards. Josephine is pictured with the BYH Class of 1927 in the BYU Banyan yearbook, BYH section. ~ ~ ~ ~ Josephine Sowards was born October 1, 1910. Her parents were Wilbur Sowards and Bertha Holtsclaw Sowards. The family moved from Vernal to Provo, where she attended Brigham Young High School in the Class of 1927. On September 4, 1936 she married Waldo Jensen Strong, born June 7, 1908, died December 4, 1994. Josephine Sowards Strong died October 22, 2001. Interment, East Lawn Memorial Hills, Provo, Utah.

Sowards, Mark S.
496 North 1080 East
Orem, Utah 84097 US

Mark Sowards

Work: (801) 225-4309

Class of 1972. Mark Sowards. BYU BA Advertising 1977. Mark S. Sowards.

Sowards, Myrtle
Logan, Utah US

Myrtle and William DeHart

Class of 1930. Graduated from Brigham Young High School on Thursday, May 29, 1930. Source: The Evening Herald, Provo, Utah, May 28, 1930. ~ ~ ~ ~ Student Body Vice President. ~ ~ ~ ~ HER OBITUARY: LOGAN - Myrtle Ida Sowards DeHart, 87, passed away on Saturday, November 27, 1999, at Logan Regional Hospital after an extended illness. Myrtle is survived by her husband, William; sons, Steven Arthur (Gretchen) DeHart, Logan, and William Kent (Sharon) DeHart, Centerville; three grandchildren; sisters Josephine Sowards Strong, Sacramento, California; Beulah Sowards Bucher, Salt Lake City; Jewell Sowards Bybee, Salt Lake City; and brother, Clifford Sowards, Salt Lake City. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Beatrice Sowards Skinner, Ethelyn Sowards Young; and brother, W. Anthony Sowards. Funeral services were held at 12 noon on Tuesday, November 30, 1999 in Logan, Utah. Interment, Eastlawn Memorial Hills Cemetery in Provo. The family suggested contributions to the Myrtle DeHart Scholarship Fund at Utah State University. [Deseret News, Sunday, November 28, 1999.] ~ ~ ~ ~ Her parents: Wilbur Sowards and Bertha Holtsclaw Sowards. Their children include: Beatrice Sowards [BYH Class of 1926] Skinner; Wilbur Anthony (Tony) Sowards; Josephine Sowards Strong, Sacramento; Calif.; Myrtle Sowards [BYH Class of 1930] DeHart, Logan, Utah; Beulah Sowards [BYH Class of 1933] Bucher, Salt Lake City; Ethelyn Mabel Sowards [BYH Class of 1937] (Vance Lynn) Young; Jewell Sowards [BYH Class of 1942] Bybee, Salt Lake City, Utah; Clifford Sowards, Salt Lake City.

Sowards, Nelson General
Vernal, Utah US

Nelson and Mary Sowards

BY Academy High School Class of 1885. Nelson Sowards received a Certificate in Commercial Studies. Source: 1. Deseret News, June 25, 1885. 2. Territorial Enquirer, June 12, 1885. ~ ~ ~ ~ Nelson General Sowards was born January 22, 1862 in Pike County, Kentucky. His parents were Moses Ford Sowards and Eliza Branham Gannon. He married Mary Eliza Gibson [or Kegibson] in about 1887 in Pike County, Kentucky [or August 10, 1893 in Salt Lake City, Utah]. He died on January 14, 1946 in Vernal, Utah.

Sowards, Paul Anthony (1970)
6401 Pojoaque Drive NW
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87120 US

Paul Sowards

Home: 505-899-0652

Class of 1970. Paul Sowards. Class Social Chair. Class of 1970 Party Committee. BYU BS Business Management 1976. BYU MBA 1978. @2011

Sowards, Willa L.
Boise, Idaho US

Willa and Mac Swenson

Class of 1931. Willa L. Sowards. She graduated from Brigham Young High School on Thursday, May 28, 1931. Source: The Evening Herald, Provo, Utah, Tuesday, May 26, 1931. ~ ~ ~ ~ [Incorrectly identified as a member of the BYH Class of 1929 in the 1929 BYU Banyan, High School section.] ~ ~ ~ ~ Willa Lamar (sic) Sowards was born February 9, 1913 in Manassa, Colorado. Her parents were Willard Lewis Sowards and Fannie Jackson. She married Francis McLean (Mac) Swenson, BYH Class of 1926, on January 2, 1935 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She died on May 7, 1975 in Boise, Idaho. Interment, Pocatello, Idaho.

Sowby, Thelma

Thelma Sowby

Class of 1918. Thelma Sowby. She received a BYH Normal Certificate in 1918. Source: Annual Record, B.Y. University, Book 10, page 130.

Spafford, Ann

Ann Spafford

Class of 1913. Ann Spafford. Graduated from Brigham Young High School in 1913. Name on list, but no photo. Source: 1913 BYU Banyan yearbook, BYH section, pages 63-81.

Spafford, Annie

Annie Spafford

Class of 1913. Annie Spafford. She received a BYH Art & Manual Training Diploma in 1913. Source: Annual Record, B.Y. University, Book 6, page 75.