2011 Distinguished Utahn
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William H. (Bill) Child knows how to work hard and succeed in business. Known for his local success with a family furniture store, many friends and associates say it is his persistence, work ethic and integrity that have made his small company based in Utah turn into a successful business now owned by the well-known investor Warren Buffett.
The Salt Lake City chapter of the BYU Management Society presented Brother Child with its 2011 Distinguished Utahn Award during a program at the Little America Hotel on Wednesday evening, May 18.
"He is one who goes before, showing others the way to follow," President Thomas S. Monson said. "The Child family is a band of pioneers, showing others the way to follow."
President Thomas S. Monson, a past Distinguished Utahn Award recipient, congratulated Brother Child by saying, "I am proud of you."
The former owner and current chairman of the board of the R.C. Willey Home Furnishings, Brother Child built up, expanded and grew the company, while managing to keep the store closed on Sundays.
"He's spent his lifetime creating a successful business built on ethical principles," said Marc A. Jewell, president of the Salt Lake City Chapter for the BYU Management Society. Under the management of Brother Child, R.C. Willey grew from two employees to more than 2,600 employees, from a 600-square foot store to 12 large stores in Utah, Idaho and Nevada, with an annual sales volume of $500 million all in 47 years.
"Thank you for your time and support," Brother Child said. "I do appreciate all who have had such a positive influence in my life. My family, friends, neighbors, associates, each and everyone of you have had a huge impact on my life."
Growing up in Davis County, he learned how to work hard as he and his family baled hay and worked the family farm.
"We learned great lessons," Sheldon F. Child, his brother said. "We had great parents, who instilled in us a great sense of unity and encouraged us to stay close as a family all of our lives. He has always been my role model. We worked together for 33 years, closely, and he has been humble all his life."
He told of when an appliance at their store had a defective part and Bill took it upon himself to make sure every customer was granted replacement parts or a replacement of every machine.
"We didn't have a profit that year, but it was the right thing to do," Sheldon Child said.
It is that hard work and humility that makes Bill Child stand out still today.
"The mission of the BYU Management Society is to grow moral and ethical leadership around the world," said Brother Jewell. Past recipients of the Distinguished Utahn Award include President Monson and President Gordon B. Hinckley, former Utah Governors Olene S. Walker and Michael O. Leavitt.
