Dan “Spud” Pilling

By Sun Advocate

WELLINGTON-Dan Mason Pilling, Jr., age 62, passed away peacefully while sitting in his favorite chair on November 19, 2015.
He was born in Price, Utah on May 1, 1953 to Dan and Jerri Dowd Pilling. Dan grew up in Moab Utah, the oldest of 5 children. He was a graduate of Grand County High School Class of 1971.
He was married to Betty Jean Dull and had two children, their marriage ended in divorce. On September 12, 1986, he married Mary Norella Gaskins in Wellington and became the step-father to her children.
He loved being outdoors whether it was camping, hunting, fishing , four wheeling or searching for gold. Dan spent many years working as a diesel mechanic in local coal mines until a back injury forced him into early retirement.
Dan was an amazing man. His gruff attitude hid a heart of gold. He had a great sense of humor, but only those people that really got to know him had the pleasure of laughing with him. Everyone that knew him would recognize him because of his trademark hat and suspenders. His grandchildren will miss the smell of his pipes in the house.
Dan is survived by his wife, Norella Pilling; his children, Jason, Kasee (Larry) Smith, Julia Dougherty, and Laura (David) Perez; his sisters, Cheryl (Royce) Axtell, Julie (Gary) McKinnon and Joey (Scott) Allred; his grandchildren, Kasey, Alex, Mason, Hannah, Mathew, Sage, Reina, Michael, Jasee, Aaron, and River; also survived by his great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by his parents Dan and Jerri, his brother K.C., his nephew Justin, brother-in- law, Gregg; and his step-daughter Tina.
Funeral service Wednesday, November 25, 2015, 10:00 a.m., Mitchell Funeral Home. Family will be at Mitchell ‘s Tuesday evening from 6:00-7:00 p.m. and Wednesday one hour prior to service. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Dan at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.