UP THE CREEK CHRONICLES
“THOUGHTS FOR A SUNDAY EVENING”
Final Edition
Saga of Dr. William Franklin Openshaw, Editor in Chief
Our esteemed editor in chief, Dr. William Franklin Openshaw, passed away on Saturday, August 5th. He is survived by his closest subscribers, his wife of 50 years, Beverly Anne Openshaw; his children, Stefanie Lowe, Evie Marenco, Perri Lowe, Franky True, Shannon Nikula, Brandon Lowe, and Anne-Celeste Openshaw; his grandchildren, Joey Marenco, Ethan Nikula, and Schylar Nikula; his great-granddaughter, Devyn Lowe; and his nieces and nephews.
“Dr. O” was born in Santaquin, Utah to Dr. Eli Carlos and Marie Openshaw in 1936. He grew up helping his father on the farm and running wild in Santaquin Canyon with his little sister, Orchid-Marie and his nephew, Fred Openshaw. As part of his father’s work as a doctor, he was along for the ride when Eli was moved to Nephi, UT, Carrey, ID, and ultimately Salt Lake City, UT to care for patients in those locations. Even on his last day with us, he spoke of his love for Santaquin, UT. No place on earth could replace it for him, full of his memories of cherries, apricots, apples, his dear parents, siblings, sibling-adjacent relations, and friends.
He served a 3-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Mexico City, Mexico.
He graduated as a Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. At different times throughout his career, he created and maintained several high-volume health centers in Mesa, Arizona, Buena Park, California, and Scottsdale, Arizona. He was also affiliated with some of the most accomplished physicians involved with cutting edge and sophisticated treatments for cancer in Mexico.
He won money for dancing, loved to paint and draw, sang along with Gene Autry’s music, read and watched Westerns, wore sandals as often as possible, played piano, organ, cornet, accordion, concertina, guitar, banjo, harmonica, and there could be more that this reporter can’t remember. He wore bolo ties and loved donkeys. He loved Mexican food and his mom’s tomato gravy. He was incredibly smart, stubborn, kind, and fiercely loyal to his family.
Services will be held on August 26, 2023, 11:00 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Meetinghouse, at 22035 E. Ocotillo Rd., Queen Creek, AZ 85142. All are welcome. If you have a bolo tie, please wear it to the services.