From Deseret News archives:
Salt Lake family says goodbye at missionary's bedside
Former West High student dies of injuries from crash
William Tenney Angilau Jr. was just a month from coming home after being gone from Salt Lake City for nearly two years. The 21-year-old missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was serving in the Washington Seattle Mission when he was struck by an SUV while riding his bicycle across a busy, five-lane road Thursday afternoon.
"His father's words were, 'The Lord just extended his mission,'" said Tracy L. Branch, president of the Salt Lake City Pioneer Stake, which takes in the 25th Ward. "The family has accepted this as a terrible accident, and they have no ill feelings and no hatred toward any of the circumstances or toward what happened. They know he loved the area he was serving in and he loved his mission."
"Willy" had prepared for his mission his entire life and had made it his goal to serve when the time came. Branch said he was "an all-around good kid."
"He was a quiet kid but could hold his own," he said. Angilau attended West High School where he had many friends and participated in several extra-curricular sports programs. Branch said the teen had dabbled in construction before his mission and had plans to attend a trade school upon coming home.
"Everybody liked him, he was very dependable," Branch said of the young man. "He stayed true and well represented his family to the very end."
King County sheriff's deputies in Kent, Wash., said Angilau had been riding with his companion on SE 208th Street at about 1:45 p.m. Thursday, when both men decided to cross the multilane road. His companion made it across, but Angilau was hit by a Ford Explorer that was unable to avoid him, police said.
Both bicyclists were wearing their helmets. King County Sheriff's Sgt. John Urquhart said the driver of the SUV was not cited.
"We're still investigating it, although it doesn't look like it's his fault," Urquhart said Friday.
Angilau was taken to the hospital in extremely critical condition. Branch said Angilau's family was able to fly to Washington so they could be with him when he passed away.
"A very humble family willing to serve the Lord in any way possible," Branch said. "I feel that their position was this — 'We'd rather have him where the Lord wants him than where a lot of young men often end up.'"
Friday, the LDS Church issued a statement expressing sympathy to Angilau's family.
"Our hearts are deeply saddened, and our sympathy and prayers go out to Elder Angilau's parents, family members and friends at this difficult time," LDS Church spokesman Scott Trotter said in a statement Friday. "We pray that the spirit of the Lord will bring comfort, peace and healing to all of those involved."
E-mail: wleonard@desnews.com; bwinslow@desnews.com
