William Barton Jensen

William Barton Jensen, 78, of St. George, Utah, passed away peacefully at his home on February 15, 2026, surrounded by his loving wife and children. Bill was born in Ely, Nevada on September 22, 1947, to Delos and Jane (Barton) Jensen. Bill graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, ultimately pursuing the study of law at the University of Utah and earning his Juris Doctorate. Bill met his first wife, Gail Wariner (Cowan), while at BYU. They married upon graduation and started a family, welcoming Aaron, Leslie and David into the world. Bill spent much of his career at the New York State Teachers Retirement System, where he had the opportunity to litigate many significant cases before state agencies, the New York Supreme Court, and the New York Court of Appeals. Bill was passionate about protecting teachers’ retirement benefits while also preventing people from taking unfair advantage of the system. He was also devoted to his pro-bono and private legal work, never taking any compensation from those he helped. It was in New York that Bill met the love of his life, Constance Sargent, whom he married in 1988. When Connie first met Bill, she recalls, “I felt that we would become great friends. We were friends first and deep love followed. I knew then that I was on the journey of my life with a man whose life was guided by fairness, courage and empathy. Bill gave me a beautiful life of love, children and grandchildren, adventure and learning. Inclusion was intrinsic to his nature, opening our home to others. And he was very funny.” Together Bill and Connie helped raise Aaron, Leslie and David. Bill loved his children dearly, devoting summers to soaking up life and making memories together as a family. Whether through sharing his love for photography with Leslie, building model airplanes with David and Aaron, or exploring the great outdoors with all 3, he wholeheartedly loved being a father. Bill had a bright and inquisitive mind, propelling him into diverse interests, which he pursued throughout his life. He studied piano from a young age, in constant pursuit of mastery and fulfillment. It was truly joyful and transcendent to listen to him play. In addition to music, Bill loved flying. He earned his pilot’s license as a young man and assisted in search and rescue efforts. He shared his love of flying with friends and family-not for the faint of heart. His adventurous side often found him in remote parts of southern Utah with his brother Del, and his closest friends, including his best friend for life, Scott Brim. It was Scott who volunteered to stay with him overnight in the hospital during his illness, and later in his home. Photography was Bill’s lifelong creative expression. He captured the raw beauty of our natural world through his discerning eye, leaving us with catalogs of slides and pictures from an impassioned life. He also explored the ocean through scuba diving. It was in his retirement that he and Connie moved from Voorheesville, NY to southern Utah. Here they enjoyed biking the endless trails, exploring surrounding national parks, spending time with friends and family, and continuing his love for photography. They set sail on several cruises, exploring and sharing the world together. In his final years Bill -affectionately known by friends like Richard Marback, whom he spoke with almost daily since they met, as “Billy Boy”- entered a new and deeply meaningful chapter of his life. While he was never one for hugs, his sincerity was unmistakable to everyone he met. He walked with a quiet humility that ignored status; whether someone had much or nothing at all, Bill offered them the same genuine respect and lack of judgement. He found a true “thirst for living” within a close-knit fellowship of friends who walked alongside him daily. Bill passed away in peace - settled in a new home, surrounded by a community of mutual support, and truly happy in the clarity of his final year. Special thanks to Intermountain Health, St. George Regional Hospital, and Hospice for their excellent quality of end-of-life care. And deep gratitude to Dr. Karl Torgerson, whose outstanding and compassionate care of Bill was constant throughout their time together. He considered Bill one of his favorite patients, and said he loved him very much. Bill thought of him as a son. Bill is survived by his wife, Connie Sargent; his children Aaron Jensen of Taipei, Taiwan; Leslie and Justin Hersh of Goshen, New Hampshire and their children, Georgia and Faith; David and Stefanie Jensen of Ogden, Utah and their children, Sasha and Lyla; his brother Delos and wife Lana Jensen of Phoenix, Arizona; his sister Jennifer and her husband Stanford Olsen of Ann Arbor, Michigan; as well as many adored nieces and nephews. He will always be remembered as a loving husband, father and confidant. Those who knew him know he is in an eternal place now, surrounded by friends and family who passed before him, with his beloved German Shephard Dorothy by his side. Bill Jensen touched the lives of many people and holds a special place in their hearts. A celebration of life will be held at a later time, at their home in St. George, when family is available to travel. Memorial contributions may be made in Bill’s memory to; Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, https://bestfriends.org The DOVE Center, https://dovecenter.org