St. George, UT - George W. Diamond , age 85, died peacefully August 1, 2009. He was born in Springville, Utah February 22, 1924 to Earl Vaughan Diamond and Sarah Eva Mann and spent his early years working on the family farm. He attended school in Springville and graduated from Springville High School. He had a life long love of sports and had served as co-captain of his high school football team. He joined the Navy directly out of high school and served on a hospital ship in th South Pacific for three years during World War II. While home on leave awaiting repairs to his ship, which had been bombarded by a Kamikaze pilot, he met the love of his life, Jessie Vance, at a roller skating rink in Provo. Following VJ Day, he returned to duty and his restored ship was used as a transport for bringing troops home from Japan. Following honorable discharge from the Navy, he and Jessie married in Provo on April 26, 1946. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. He started with Mountain Bell as a telephone lineman and had a progressively successful 35 year career throughout Utah, including Price, American Fork, Kanab and Salt Lake City. He retired in 1983. Following his retirement, he and Jessie served an LDS mission in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where his managerial skills were used to direct missionaries with their transportation and housing needs while Jessie served as office administrator. Their mission year was a joyful and productive time in their lives. George served in a variety of positions for his church, and was a devoted member all his life. He was also very community minded and was an active member of the Lions Club and Jaycees and also was a volunteer fireman in Kanab. George and Jessie were blessed with three children: Dennis George, April 22, 1949; Bonnie Lee, June 2, 1952; and Barry Von, September 16, 1959, all born in Price, Utah. He is survived by his wife of 63 years; children: Bonnie Lee McCullough (Randy), Albany, New York; Barry Diamond (Marta Rae), West Jordan, Utah; grandchildren: Brandon Tippy (Lisa), Mount Vernon, Washington, Heather Lessard (Ed), Albany, New York, Tennyson Tippy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Bryan Diamond, West Jordan, Eric Diamond, West Jordan; and great-grandson, Gabriel Tippy, Mount Vernon, Washington. Surviving siblings include sister Phyllis Allan (Reese), St. George and brother James Diamond, Springville. There are numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family. He was preceded in death by his son, Dennis, his parents and three brothers: Oral, Fred and Rex Diamond. Funeral services will be held Friday, August 7, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Morningside Fourth Ward Chapel, 950 South Morningside Drive, St. George, Utah. Visitations will be held Thursday, August 6th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 W. St. George Blvd. and again Friday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the chapel prior to services. Interment will be Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the Murray City Cemetery, Murray, Utah. Arrangements under the direction of Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221. George was given the gift of very special care givers at the end of his life. The family expresses their heartfelt thanks for the loving care he received from Mendi Stucki and her staff at Elderberry Care. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in his name to Elderberry Care, 43 North 1250 West, St. George, Utah 84770.