William (Bill) Espinoza
January 31, 1940 - November 20, 2019
William “Bill” Espinoza, 79, passed away with his wife by his side, at their home, on November 20, 2019, after a second bout of cancer. Born in Los Angeles, California, in 1940, Bill moved to Albuquerque as a young man, where he lived for 10 years. It is there that he met his wife of 57 years, Marcella Espinoza (nee Montoya). In Albuquerque, Bill was involved in the entertainment industry as a radio DJ, and later moved his family to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he helped to start a public radio station and worked as a banker before opening the Navajo Hogan Restaurant, which he ran for 30 years. Until his very last days you could find him at the restaurant talking to customers, new and old.
Bill loved sports of all kinds, and was an avid L.A. Rams and Utah Jazz fan. He and his wife loved to travel, and they share many fond memories together. Bill was very active in his community, including running for Mayor of South Salt Lake. He and his wife attended St. Ann Catholic Church. Bill was always helping the homeless, and during the holidays, he donated clothing to the Salt Lake Rescue Mission.
Bill is survived by his wife, Marcie; his two boys, Aaron and Marcos; his daughter-in-law Kelly; two grandchildren, Camila and Daniel; extended family, Bernard Montoya, Bernice (Mel) Archuleta, Don (Irene) Montoya and Rey Montoya; and many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Bill’s life will be held Tuesday, November 26 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Guests are encouraged to use the complimentary valet parking on the north side of the building. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, November 27 at 11:00 AM at Saint Ann Catholic Church, 2119 South 400 East, Salt Lake City. A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 10:30 AM at the church. Please share your photos and memories with the family and view a tribute video slideshow at www.starksfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Salt Lake Rescue Mission, https://rescuesaltlake.org.
Video Tribute slideshow forthcoming.
In Loving Memory
The highlight of our Salt Lake visit was meeting Bill and enjoying a meal at Navajo Hogan. What a charming and lovely man, father of Marcos, another lovely man. Our deepest condolences to Marcos, Kelly, Camila and Daniel and the rest of Bill’s family. Whenever we think of Salt Lake we will think of Bill.
He was a family to us since Jayshia was born, He was very kind and very great to talk too. He was just a normal person loves to make food and had a dream to make his business. He such an awesome person, he sweet and very talkable can't stop loving his customers every day and very busy on Saturday specials. He will be missed to our hearts, we didn't expect this will happened. Bill you be missed RIP
In Loving Memory
