Ivins, Utah - D Waldo Potter, age 88, passed from this life on December 17, 2016. He was born in Loa, Utah, on December 19, 1927, to Mabel and William C. Potter. He married Mary Ellen Hanks in the Manti L.D.S Temple, Sept. 21, 1951.

D Waldo was raised on the family farm in Loa, Utah.  He served in the United States Marine Corps.  After an honorable discharge he served an L.D.S mission to Hawaii. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a double degree in Education and Agronomy.

His life was filled with service to his family, church, community and profession. He served as Bishop of the Loa, Utah and Kingston, Utah wards. He also served in bishoprics and high councils throughout his life in the Palmyra Utah Stake, St. George Utah West Stake and the Santa Clara Utah Stake.

D Waldo spent his professional career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a Soil and Water Conservation consultant and project manager. His work improved the agricultural and water resource management capacity of numerous counties in the state of Utah. He also served as Water Master of the Ivins Utah Irrigation Company.

He was famous for saying, "Why is every light in this house on?"

D Waldo is survived by his sweetheart of 65 years, Mary Ellen, and their ten children: Van Potter, Mark Potter, Linda Hale, Matthew Potter, Susan Anderson, Julia Barney, Gordon Potter, Mabel Reedy, Marydee Moore and Shawn Potter; his siblings: Arla Parsons, James Brink Potter, Albert Ray Potter, Viola Baker, Mignon Cooley, Virgie Arrington.

D Waldo and Mary Ellen have 41 grandchildren and 25 great–grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Mabel Potter and siblings; Cleo Blackledge, Bonita Taylor, George Eldon Potter and William Zurrell Potter.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Ivins LDS 2nd Ward Chapel, 15 North Main Street, Ivins, Utah. Visitations held Tuesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd, and Wednesday, prior to services, at 10:00 a.m. at the chapel. Interment will be Thursday, December 22, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. in the Grover, Utah Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the missionary fund for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .

Special thanks to Dixie Home and Hospice Care nurses for their kindness and attention during the last year.