William Delbert Sorensen

William Delbert Sorensen, age 88, of Boulder City, Nev., a retired Las Vegas Fire Department Battalion Chief, fulfilled his last alarm, passing away at home on April 2, 2020. He was born July 8, 1931 in LaPoint, Utah to William Justin Sorensen and Hazel Pearl Harrison Sorensen. The family left Utah shortly after his birth and moved to the Las Vegas area where his father labored on the construction of Hoover Dam. He graduated from Las Vegas High School in 1949 and attended Brigham Young University. William married MaryAnn McVeigh on January 17, 1964 in Las Vegas, and was subsequently sealed to her for time and all eternity in the Saint George, Utah temple.

His pathway of public service began in the United States Army, where he served as a Soldier in the 7th Infantry Division during the Korean War. While stationed in Korea, he coordinated a life-saving drive to collect warm clothing from Las Vegas families that he and his fellow soldiers distributed to Korean orphans. 

William joined the Las Vegas Fire Department in 1957, and retired after 35 years of dedicated service. He worked in association with the Federated Fire Fighters of Nevada to successfully lobby for legislation for workplace safety, working hours, pay and medical benefits. He also helped organize the first Jerry Lewis Telethon to fight muscular dystrophy in Las Vegas. In 1998, he was honored with the Distinguished Service award presented by the Professional Fire Fighters of Nevada. 

He was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and enthusiastically served as stake missionary for many years, among other callings. He participated in scouting as a youth earning his Eagle. William was a talented musician and played many different instruments including the ukulele, organ, mandolin, banjo, and fiddle. He was a member of a local bluegrass band, and he enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping. 

Above all, William's greatest love was his family. Many photo albums are filled with scenes of sporting events, practices, plays, recitals, dances, concerts, dinners, assemblies and other activities he attended to support his children. These moments along with vacations, holidays, and countless breakfasts are what we will remember most about Dad.  

Our beloved husband and father is survived by his wife MaryAnn; seven children: DeeAnn (Richard) Blair, Christie (Curtis) Traasdahl, Jerianne (Robert) Pitts, David Sorensen, Karen (Ronald) Sasine, Jennifer Sorensen, and Eric (Melanie) Sorensen; 18 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Margaret Anna Brode; a brother, Gary Sorensen; and a granddaughter, Rebekah Pearl Blair.

William was laid to rest at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nev. on April 7, 2020. Family and friends are invited to sign an online memorial guestbook at www.bouldercityfamilymortuary.com.

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