Bill was born Dec 28, 1946, in Billings, Montana, to Clarence and Jemima "Babe" Ostenson. After graduating from Columbus High School, Bill worked in Yellowstone Park for two seasons and then attended college and worked full-time at the Billings Deaconess Hospital.

It was during this time that he was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After his baptism he transferred to Brigham Young University where he met and married Marilyn Judy Hulet in the Manti Temple.

In 1971, he began teaching at the Garland Senior Seminary where he taught until 1976, when he and his family of five returned to BYU to earn a Masters Degree in Family Life Education. After a year in graduate school, Bill and Marilyn moved to Lewiston, Idaho. After a brief but very satisfying year there, they moved their family of six to Fort Wayne, Indiana, to teach institute and to coordinate home-study and early-morning seminary classes. After fourteen years, which included serving seven years in the Fort Wayne Stake Presidency and the addition of another four children to the family, they moved to Idaho Falls to begin the new Hillcrest Seminary. After serving as both a principal at the Hillcrest and Bonneville Seminaries and as a regional director, he was forced in 2005 to quit teaching due to cancer.

Bill spent the last five years writing two historical fiction novels and creating sweet memories with his wife and other family members, which included a special trip to Nauvoo, Illinois, thanks to the generosity of many friends. In his final months, he was lovingly cared for by his wife and constantly surrounded by his loving family.

He is survived by Marilyn, his loving wife of 38 years; seven children: Jonathan (Kyla) Ostenson, Rebecca (Jeff) Nelson, Michael (Rachel) Ostenson, Timothy Ostenson, Joseph (Bethany) Ostenson, Sara (Samuel) Pinson and Benjamin Ostenson; seventeen grandchildren; a sister, Lynn (Mike) Bolin; and his step-father, Larry Colbrese.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his youngest son, Christopher.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. June 18, 2009, at the Ammon LDS Stake Center, 2055 S. Ammon Rd. with Bishop Ryan Christensen officiating. The family will visit with friends from 6-8:00 p.m Wednesday evening June 17, 2009, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First St., Idaho Falls, and at the church on Thursday one hour prior to the services. Burial will be in the Ammon Cemtery.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Kelly Howell and Wasatch Press and to the wonderful nurses at Hands of Hope Hospice. The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Perpetual Education Fund through the contributor's individual wards.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.coltrinmortuary.com .