Willie D Sweeney

North Las Vegas - Willie Dee Sweeney (Whiz), age 92, passed away from this world surrounded by his family on Saturday, June 29, 2024. He was born on October 17, 1931 in Neola, Utah to Wilford Woodruff Sweeney and Mary Alvira Simpson. He married Katherine Davidson in Honolulu, Hawaii and they had two children, Mary and Kent, later they divorced. Whiz then married Sally Ann Taylor, they had a son Bryan.

In 1930 the Sweeney Family moved from Park City, Utah to Neola, Utah where Whiz was born. They left 40 acres of the Meadows district in Park City behind, selling out in the Great Depression for 22 cents an acre. Whiz was three years old when they moved back to Kamas. He grew up in Kamas and graduated from South Summit in 1948. Whiz was very athletic, he loved to dance and compete in sports. Many trophies bear his name and can be found at South Summit High School.

Whiz joined the Navy in 1950, he served for four years. He moved from Hawaii to Kamas and later moved to Las Vegas. In Las Vegas he worked at the "Test Site" (Reynolds Electric and Engineering). He started as a miner and worked his way up to Project Manager/Superintendent. He worked there for 36 years and retired in 1994. While at the Test Site he had an interesting meeting with President Kennedy and three high ranking Generals, where he took them on a tour and discussed the operations. Whiz loved to golf and spent many days at the course.

He is survived by children Gwen Omit of Oregon, Barb Thygerson of Arizona, Mary Coleman (Tom) of Utah, Kent Sweeney of Utah, and Bryan Sweeney of North Las Vegas. He has 21 grandchildren, 59 great grandchildren, and 29 great great grandchildren. Preceded in death by his wife Sally Ann Sweeney (Taylor), Dency Palcovic (daughter), his siblings: Mardeen Skelly, Elaine Prescott, LaMerle Van Tassell, Douglas Sweeney, Kent Sweeney, one granddaughter Karen Satison and great grandsons Ivan and Donovan Southern.

Funeral services will be August 2, 2024 at 8:40 am at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Please be there 20 minutes prior because other services are being held directly after.

Many thanks to the nurses who have watched over him for four years. Whiz looked forward to having his nursing staff there in his home. We can't thank you enough.