Arthur Willi Riget Andersen passed away at age 91 on July 5, 2023, at his home in Alton, Utah, surrounded and attended to by many loving family members. He was born Arthur Willi Riget Jensen on March 20, 1932, in Aarhus, Denmark to Hans George and Sigrid Marie Riget Jensen. His name was changed by King’s order to match that of his stepfather, Hans Anthon Andersen and his siblings, Elin Riget Ernø(Poul-Erik Juul-divorced, Henning Ernø -deceased) of Denmark, Paul-Erik (deceased) (Britt) Andersen of Denmark, Jonna Riget (Poul) Licht of Denmark, and Ole Riget Andersen (deceased). He learned to work hard to help support his family during and after WWII. He was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1952. He excelled in school and desired further education. That avenue was not available to him in Denmark, so he chose to immigrate to America to attend college and feel the support of Church members. The family wishes to thank the Gaylon Rigby family for their willingness to sponsor him. He served in the United States army from 1953-1955, stationed in Germany. He met his sweetheart, Marjorie Heaton, and fell in love dancing to the era’s big band music. They were sealed on March 29, 1957, in the Salt Lake City Temple. Art graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and moved to Taylorsville, Utah where he raised his family. He began working at the Kennecott Power Plant in management. He retired at age 62 as the Power Plant Superintendent after 30 years of employment. Marge and he retired to Alton, Utah where he was building a home. They put that project on hold to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Denmark from April 1994 to October 1995. Though retired, he continued to work and serve in church callings, as the Alton town records keeper for the cemetery, the water master, and as Alton town mayor for several years. Art planted, toiled, reaped, and shared the bounty of a garden every year. Being the great Dad and Grandpa he was, he built toys and outdoor play areas for his children and grandchildren to enjoy. He was known as the Engineer of the Alton Rail-less Transit System (A.R.T.S.) as he drove the train he made for many church and town socials and family reunions in the surrounding area. He provided the means for many happy memories and family unity through work and play.
Arthur’s family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to all those who helped care for him as his health declined, including his oncologist, Dr. Lin, and the staff at IHC Hospice and Zion’s Way Hospice.
Arthur is survived by his four children, Erik (Heather) Andersen of Alton, Selma (Darryl) Lehmitz of West Jordan, Lance (Deb) Andersen of South Jordan, Christian (Annette) Andersen of Taylorsville, 18 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren, numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews – some of whom call him Willi and others Art.
Funeral services will be held in Alton, Utah at the Alton Ward Chapel on July 15th at 11:00 a.m. A viewing will precede the funeral from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at the same location. Interment, Alton Cemetery under the direction of Mosdell Mortuary in Kanab, Utah.
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