Walter Maw Neville

Walter Maw Neville of Midvale, Utah passed away peacefully after a short illness on October 31, 2022, a t the age of 85. Walt was born April 13, 1937, to Walter Curtis Neville and Edith Frances Maw in Ogden, Utah. After he graduated from Ogden High School, he worked for the U.S. Forest Service that summer where he assisted in making maps. After that he went to the University of Chicago for a year on a tennis scholarship. He served for 2 years as a full time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was assigned to the Southern States Mission that then covered parts of Georgia, Florida and Alabama.

After returning from his missionary service Walt attended BYU, Utah State University, and the University of Utah where he earned a PhD in biochemistry/molecular biology. Walt was a humble man that did not like being called “Dr. Neville”, he was simply “Walt”.

After completing his PhD, he married his sweetheart Josephine “Josie” Maria Van de Nieuwegiessen in the Salt Lake temple for time and all eternity on June 2, 1972. Walt and Josie have 4 children. Their youngest, Emily, was severely mentally handicapped and autistic among other things. They always cared for her as a team and love her dearly. Walt loved to spend time with his family at home. He enjoyed conversations about a variety of topics and possessed a lot of knowledge of most any subject. He was proud of the fact that he read the Book of Mormon over 25 times and stopped counting.

Walt spent his career in a laboratory as a chemist for OSHA. One task that he had was testing air and soil samples from the rubble of the World Trade Center towers after 9/11.

After retiring, Walt served a senior mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints at the Salt Lake Family History Library for 11 years, assisting patrons on the British Isles floor with their Family History.

Walt loved his family the most! He also loved the outdoors, taking walks and growing plants, vegetables & flowers, especially indoors. He always had some kind of plant experiment that he was working on. Walt was a lifelong student who enjoyed learning about everything. He was a voracious reader who loved anything scientific. He especially enjoyed watching Nova science shows and Masterpiece Theater programs.

Walt was a very happy person who liked to laugh and could always find humor in observing others. Walt didn’t like to get gifts, unless it was very practical or edible. Within his immediate family he was "famous" for his banana pancakes, his signature pizza experimentations, chili, and apple sauce. Thanksgiving was his favorite holiday and he always prepared most of the dinner for that occasion.

Walt is survived by his loving wife Josie of over 50 years and his 4 children, Jeff Neville, Becky (Jeremy) Wardle, Jennifer (Michael) Williams, Emily Neville and his grandchildren: Emma Wardle, Ella Williams, Abby Wardle, Jacob Wardle, McKay Williams and Holly Williams. He's also survived by his sister Adrienne Baker (Bill) of Spokane Washington and his half-sister Pamela Murray (Dave), Michigan. Walt was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ray Neville and by his grandson James Wardle.

Walt was a wonderful father and husband and a great example of Christlike love. His family never heard him speak ill of others. He was a sweet and gentle man, and he was humble and steadfast throughout his entire life. He was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully until his passing.

Walt was a quiet man who didn’t want to have a lot of fuss made over him and asked for a simple service on his behalf. A viewing will be held in his honor Saturday, November 5, 2022, at Goff Mortuary at 8090 State St, Midvale, UT, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am. Directly after the viewing, a graveside memorial service will be held at the Pony Express Memorial Cemetery in Eagle Mountain prior to interment.