William LeRoy was born in Magna, Salt Lake, Utah on 23 July 1915. William is the second son of Girolamo DiStefano and Katherine Jennie Luisi (Lewis). He has 7 brothers and one sister. He was know as “Bill” to all family and friends.
Magna, Salt Lake, Utah
Magna is located at the base of the Northern Oquirrh Mountains and was originally called Pleasant Green in 1851. In the early 1900’s, copper mining activity in the Oquirrhs began transforming the Pleasant Green area from an agricultural hamlet to an industrial community. The Utah Copper Company, which later became Kennecott Copper Corp., began constructing its Magna Mill in 1906. The owner, named his mill “Magna” from the Latin word meaning “Great” or Superior. The town adopted the name “Magna” in 1906.
Many of the early residence were immigrants primarily from Italy, Greece and Eastern Europe. Magna developed a reputation for embodying the American dream. Several small neighborhood, such as Japtown, Snake Town and Little Italy developed around main street.
At the time, automobile commuting to work was not practical, few mining workers had cars and cross valley roads were in marginal condition. Bill’s father, Girolamo, took advantage of this condition and purchased a truck and provided workers transportation to the mill.
Childhood
Military Service
During World War II, bill served in the Pacific Theater.
Marriage
Bill married Mary Eileen Dockstard Herbert on 27 December 1947. Eileen was born 17 December 1920
Occupation
Children
Terry Lynn 1939, Lynda Helena 1940, Robert Henry 1942, Michael Brent 1944, William Perry (Bill) 1946, Jack L 1947, Maryem 1951, Phillip E 1956
Back Row: Jack, Mike, Terry, Billy, Robert (Bob) Front Row: William LeRoy (Bill), Eileen, Philip, Maryem, Lynda
Death
Bill pass away on 12 June 1987 in Provo, Utah, Utah
