In Memoriam: Frank William (Bill) Gay

Frank William (Bill) Gay, in whose name two Maxwell Institute research funds were endowed, passed away May 21, 2007 in Kingwood, Texas. His wife Mary Elizabeth, five children, 17 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren survive him. A private family memorial service was held in Utah.

The William (Bill) Gay Research chair at the Maxwell Institute was created and endowed in his honor. John Gee is the William (Bill) Gay Associate Research Professor. This endowment supports all of the projects and publications done by Gee and others on the Book of Abraham and related studies.

As mentioned in the last issue of Insights, the Russel B. Swensen Endowed Mentorship Fund was created as a result of a generous gift from Robert (Bob) Gay in honor of his father William (Bill) Gay. This fund was named in honor of a beloved BYU professor and was created in 2002 to provide grants to selected undergraduate students each year who are pursuing degrees in fields of study related to the Maxwell Institute's broad areas of interest and who have secured an agreement to conduct research under the supervision of a BYU faculty member.

Gay had a 59-year affiliation with the Howard Hughes organization. In addition to his responsibilities there, he devoted his time and concern to many not-for-profit entities, which included the Polynesian Cultural Center, Harvard Graduate School of Business, the University of Utah and Brigham Young University, and the Boy Scouts of America. He also served as a member of the general board of the Sunday School of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He received numerous recognitions and awards.

The Maxwell Institute administration and staff express condolences to the family.