Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. David A. Sawyer, 54, a decorated combat veteran and key adviser to the Pentagon's Joint Chiefs of Staff, died June 23, 1997, at his home in Springfield, Va.
He served the Church in many capacities, including Scoutmaster, bishop's counselor and counselor in a stake presidency.He flew 111 combat missions in Vietnam from 1970-74, and helped rescue downed pilots. He flew 29 combat missions in Desert Storm in 1991, where he commanded the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing (Flying Tigers). He also served as wing commander of the U.S. Southern Command in Panama, and as deputy commander of NATO's Fifth Allied Tactical Air Force, based in Vicenza, Italy. During his military career, he was awarded 22 medals, including the Distinguished Service Medal and Silver Star.
He married Jeanne Tucker in the Salt Lake Temple in 1967.
Emily Lorraine Smith Wilkinson, 79, author of more than 250 musical compositions and a member of the general board of the Young Women Mutual Improvement Association from 1961-69, died June 28, 1997, in Bountiful, Utah.
Among her compositions were "A House Becomes a Home When There's Love Inside," "Dear Earthly Father," and "Wedding of the Rails." She had a radio and TV show called "Lyrics by Lorraine." She also served on the Davis County Centennial Committee, and on various boards and guilds.
William Miller Davies, 87, who served 13 years as the first stake president in eastern Canada, died June 27, 1997, in Etobicoke, Ontario. He was married to Olive Wise Davies for 55 years.
He followed the example of his mother, who was among the first members of the Church in Toronto, and was baptized at age 16. He served as district president, stake president, stake patriarch and temple sealer.
The demands of presiding over a stake that covered the greater portion of Ontario required extensive time and travel. This was coupled with his profession as a salesman.
