2017 Temple Presidents Called to Spain, Philippines, South America, U.S.

• 8 June 2017

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The First Presidency has called the following new temple presidents and matrons. They will begin their service in November of 2017.

Madrid Spain Temple

Wayne Leroy Gardner, 69, Menlo Park Ward, Mesa Arizona Hermosa Vista Stake, called as president of the Madrid Spain Temple, succeeding President Carlos J. Somoza Díaz. President Gardner’s wife, Teresa Richardson Gardner, will serve as temple matron, succeeding Sister Rosario García González. He is a counselor in the Tijuana Mexico Temple presidency and a former president of the México Cuernavaca Mission and the Chile Santiago East Mission, bishop, and branch president. Law firm founding member and legal adviser, he was born in Mesa, Arizona, to Lucius Levier Gardner Jr. and Edith Smith.

Sister Gardner is an assistant to the matron of the Tijuana Mexico Temple, has served with her husband as he presided over the México Cuernavaca Mission, and is a former ward Young Women presidency counselor. Born in Forest Grove, Oregon, to Walter L. and Gloria Richardson.

Manila Philippines Temple

Carlos Condeno Revillo Sr., 77, General Santos 3rd Ward, General Santos Philippines Stake, called as president of the Manila Philippines Temple, succeeding President Modesto M. Amistad Jr. President Revillo’s wife, Amparo Rivera García Revillo, will serve as temple matron, succeeding Sister Laura D. Amistad. He is a high priests group instructor, and is a former Area Seventy, president of the Philippines Tacloban Mission, counselor in the Manila Philippines Temple presidency, district president and branch president. Retired manager of a life insurance company, he was born in Davao, Philippines, to Pánfilo Revillo and Luciana Condenó.

Sister Revillo is a Sunday School teacher. She served with her husband as he presided over the Philippines Tacloban Mission, and has been an assistant to the matron of the Manila Philippines temple, district Relief Society and Primary president and stake Young Women president. Born in Tupi, South Cotabato, Philippines, to Sixto Palcony and Felisa Esquivel Rivera García.

Meridian Idaho Temple

James Ralph McCauley, 70, Eagle 1st Ward, Eagle Idaho Stake, called as president of the new Meridian Idaho Temple. President McCauley’s wife, Arlene Fielding McCauley, will serve as temple matron. He is a Sunday School teacher and temple sealer and is a former counselor in the Kyiv Ukraine Temple presidency, stake president, bishop, and high councilor. Distribution business owner, he was born in Twin Falls, Idaho, to Ralph Berton and Enid McCauley.

Sister McCauley is a temple ordinance worker and is a former assistant to the matron of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple, stake and ward Relief Society and Primary presidency counselor, and ward Relief Society president. Born in Shelley, Idaho, to Herman James and Maude Dial Fielding.

Mesa Arizona Temple

Kenneth McKay Smith, 70, Grandview 1st Ward, Mesa Arizona Central Stake, called as president of the Mesa Arizona Temple, succeeding President J Brent Hatch. President Smith’s wife, Jody King Smith, will serve as temple matron, succeeding Sister Renae G. Hatch. He is a ward Sunday School president and temple sealer and a former stake president, high councilor, and bishop. Attorney, he was born in Provo, Utah, to Oliver Rollin and Barbara Fay McKay Smith.

Sister Smith is a ward Primary president and a former stake Young Women presidency counselor, ward Relief Society presidency counselor, and ward Young Women president. Born in Fort Ord, California, to Rex J and Louise Bowden King.

Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple

Ronald Burton Funk, 73, Spring Creek 1st Ward, Lehi Utah Stake, called as president of the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple, succeeding President Ralph W. Smith. President Funk’s wife, Wanda Lynne Walker Funk, will serve as temple matron, succeeding Sister Elizabeth R. Smith. He is the first counselor in the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple presidency and a former president of the Washington Spokane Mission, New Zealand Temple Visitors’ Center director, stake presidency counselor, and bishop. Retired CPA, he was born in Monterrey Park, California, to Iven Verl and Mona Funk.

Sister Funk is an assistant to the matron of the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple, has served with her husband as he presided over the Washington Spokane Mission and the New Zealand Temple Visitors’ Center, and is a former stake Relief Society president and ward Young Women president. Born in Denver, Colorado, to Bernard Sanford and Wanda Arrowsmith Walker.

Newport Beach California Temple

Douglas Farr Higham Sr., 66, Mission Viejo 1st Ward, Mission Viejo California Stake, called as president of the Newport Beach California Temple, succeeding President Joseph I. Bentley. President Higham’s wife, Colleen Challis Higham, will serve as temple matron, succeeding Sister Marilyn A. Bentley. He is a ward mission leader and temple ordinance worker and a former Area Seventy, president of the Arizona Tucson Mission, stake presidency counselor, and bishop. Attorney, he was born in Berkeley, California, to Francis Cope and Violet Higham.

Sister Higham is a seminary supervisor and temple ordinance worker, has served with her husband as he presided over the Arizona Tucson Mission, and is a former ward Relief Society and Primary president. Born in San Francisco, California, to James Wood and Ruth Mackay Challis.

Ogden Utah Temple

Michael Lee Vellinga, 65, Clinton 3rd Ward, Clinton Utah North Stake, called as president of the Ogden Utah Temple, succeeding President Fredrick Froerer. President Vellinga’s wife, Pamela Bodily Vellinga, will serve as temple matron, succeeding Sister Kathleen Froerer. He is as a Church headquarters coordinator for the young Church-service missionary program and is a former president of the Ohio Cleveland Mission, stake president, bishop, and high councilor. Retired seminary instructor, he was born in Ogden, Utah, to Clarence and Arlene Vellinga.

Sister Vellinga is a Church headquarters coordinator for the young Church-service missionary program, has served with her husband as he presided over the Ohio Cleveland Mission, and is a former ward Relief Society president and ward Young Women and Primary presidency counselor. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Max Knight and Mary Yvonne Middleton Bodily.

Phoenix Arizona Temple

Gary Wesley Wagner, 58, Pleasant Valley Ward, Peoria Arizona North Stake, called as president of the Phoenix Arizona Temple, succeeding President Russell S. Gilliland. President Wagner’s wife, Lori Smith Wagner, will serve as temple matron, succeeding Sister Karen J. Gilliland. He is a Sunday School teacher and temple ordinance worker and is a former president of the México Guadalajara Mission, stake president, and bishop. Owner/CFO of a construction company, he was born in Colonia Dublán, Chihuahua, México, to Albert Kenyon and Leona Wagner.

Sister Wagner is a Sunday School teacher and temple ordinance worker, has served with her husband as he presided over the México Guadalajara Mission, and is a former ward Young Women and Primary presidency counselor and stake seminary superintendent. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Milton Edmund and Stella Valoy Smith.

Quetzaltenango Guatemala Temple

Reginaldo Manuel Bustillo Perla, 58, Los Altos Ward, Quetzaltenango Guatemala West Stake, called as president of the Quetzaltenango Guatemala Temple, succeeding President José M. Gálvez. President Bustillo’s wife, Liliam Rosario Améndola Antúnez de Bustillo, will serve as temple matron, succeeding Sister Enohe Gálvez. He is the first counselor in the Quetzaltenango Guatemala Temple presidency and a former bishop and branch president. Independent businessman, he was born in La Ceiba, Atlántida, Honduras, to Reginaldo Manuel Bustillo Maldonado and María Melida Perla Salgado.

Sister Bustillo is an assistant to the matron of the Quetzaltenango Guatemala Temple and a former stake Relief Society and Primary president and ward Young Women president. She was born in La Ceiba, Atlántida, Honduras, to Augusto Juan Améndola Midence and Alba Yolanda Antúnez Meráz.

Salt Lake Temple

Blaine Jackson Wixom Jr., 73, Olympus 5th Ward, Salt Lake Olympus Stake, called as president of the Salt Lake Temple, succeeding President Cecil O. Samuelson. President Wixom’s wife, Rosemary Mix Wixom, will serve as temple matron, succeeding Sister Sharon G. Samuelson. He is a high priests group instructor and temple sealer and is a former president of the Washington D. C. South Mission, stake president, bishop, high councilor, and member of the General Melchizedek Priesthood Committee. Retired vice president marketing director, he was born in Murray, Utah, to Blaine Jackson and Rhoda Myrtle Wixom.

Sister Wixom is a former Primary General President, has served with her husband as he presided over the Washington D.C. South Mission, and is a former Young Women and Primary General Board member, stake and ward Young Women president, and stake Primary president. She was born in Ogden, Utah, to Robert Wayne and Mary Mix.

San Antonio Texas Temple

Terry Jackson Orgill, 63, Windcrest Ward, San Antonio Texas East Stake, called as president of the San Antonio Texas Temple, succeeding President Larry D. Sprouse. President Orgill’s wife, La Dell Irene Crouch Orgill, will serve as temple matron, succeeding Sister Joyce O. Sprouse. He is second counselor in the San Antonio Texas Temple presidency and has served in a mission presidency and stake presidency, and as a bishop and high councilor. Owner, Aqua Chlor, Inc., he was born in Phoenix, Arizona, to Elmer Terry and Ellen Jackson Orgill.

Sister Orgill is an assistant to the matron at the San Antonio Texas Temple and has served as stake and ward Young Women president, stake Primary president and ward family history consultant. Born in Tucson, Arizona, to Buchannon and Irene Andree Crouch.

San Diego California Temple

Kenneth Allen Ellsworth, 71, Penasquitos 3rd Ward, Penasquitos California Stake, called as president of the San Diego California Temple, succeeding President Dirk O. Jergensen. President Ellsworth’s wife, Jeraldene Lisonbee Ellsworth, will serve as temple matron, succeeding Sister Laurie Z. Jergensen. He is a Primary teacher and temple ordinance worker and is a former stake president, bishop, welfare regional chairman, and high councilor. Retired senior credit administrator, he was born in Maywood, California, to Karl Avanold and Beulah Mae Allen Ellsworth.

Sister Ellsworth is a Primary teacher and temple ordinance worker and a former stake and ward Relief Society presidency counselor and ward Primary president. Born at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, to Jearl Woodford and Falene Alice Herbert Lisonbee.

San Salvado El Salvador Temple

Alonso J. Figueroa Moreno, 74, Campestre Ward, San Salvador El Salvador Los Heroes Stake, called as president of the San Salvador El Salvador Temple, succeeding President Luis G. Chaverri Madrigal. President Figueroa’s wife, Silvia Margarita Quijano de Figueroa, will serve as temple matron, succeeding Sister Julieta León de Chaverri. He is the first counselor in the San Salvador El Salvador Temple presidency and a High Priests group leader, and is a former stake president and bishop’s counselor. Retired accountant, he was born in San Luis Del Carmen, Chalatenango, El Salvador, to Moises Alonso Figueroa and María Angelina Moreno.

Sister Figueroa is an assistant to the matron at the San Salvador El Salvador Temple, and has served as stake Young Women counselor, stake Primary president, and ward Relief Society president. Born in Zacatecoluca, La Paz, El Salvador, to Carlos Augusto Salegio and María Zolia Gloria Quijano.

Sister Ellsworth is a Primary teacher and temple ordinance worker and a former stake and ward Relief Society presidency counselor and ward Primary president. Born at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, to Jearl Woodford and Falene Alice Herbert Lisonbee.

Snowflake Arizona Temple

Thomas Lee Palmer, 73, Kelly Canyon Ward, Flagstaff Arizona Stake, called as president of the Snowflake Arizona Temple, succeeding President G. Merlin Hancock. President Palmer’s wife, Gretna Ann Phinizy Palmer, will serve as temple matron, succeeding Sister Sherry S. Hancock. He is a high priests group leader and temple sealer and is a former counselor in the Snowflake Arizona Temple presidency, stake president, bishop, and senior missionary. Retired professor, he was born in Winslow, Arizona, to Elwyn Gus and Ruth Westover Palmer.

Sister Palmer is a temple ordinance worker and is a former assistant to the matron of the Snowflake Arizona Temple, senior missionary, stake and ward Young Women presidency counselor, stake Primary presidency counselor, and ward Young Women president. Born in Morenci, Arizona, to Paul Bryant and Violet Mae Phinizy.

Tokyo Japan Temple

Hideki Aoki, 67, Kunitachi Ward, Musashino Japan Stake, called as president of the Tokyo Japan Temple, succeeding President Yasuo Niiyama, who recently passed away. President Aoki’s wife, Setsuko Hashimoto Aoki, will serve as temple matron, succeeding Sister Tomiko Niiyama. He serves as first counselor in the Tokyo Japan Temple presidency and is a former stake president, bishop, mission president’s counselor and high councilor. Retired manager of Showa Shell Sekiyu Corporation, he was born in Matsue, Shimane, Japan, to Sakae and Masae Oguni Aoki.

Sister Aoki is an assistant to the matron of the Tokyo Japan Temple and is a former stake Relief Society counselor, stake Primary president, ward Relief Society president and ward Primary counselor. Born in Aso-gun, Kumamoto, Japan, to Toru and Yachi Kawazu Hashimoto.

Toronto Ontario Temple

David Paul Olsen, 68, Kitchener 4th (Spanish) Ward, Kitchener Ontario Stake, called as president of the Toronto Ontario Temple, succeeding President John K. Pallin. President Olsen’s wife, Anne Elizabeth Heibein Olsen, will serve as temple matron, succeeding Sister Janell L. Pallin. He is a temple sealer and is a former mission presidency counselor, stake presidency counselor, branch president, and bishopric member. Retired lawyer, he was born in Toronto, Ontario, to Elden Clark and Thelma Elizabeth Ellen Barber Olsen.

Sister Olsen is a stake Young Women president and temple ordinance worker and is a former stake Relief Society presidency counselor, stake and ward Young Women president, and ward Relief Society and Primary president. Born in Kitchener, Ontario, to Howard and Mary Elizabeth Audrey Buchanan Heibein.

Vernal Utah Temple

Norman S. Nielson, 64, Ashley 2nd Ward, Vernal Utah Maeser Stake, called as president of the Vernal Utah Temple, succeeding President David R. Labrum. President Nielson’s wife, Mary Louise Wolsey Nielson, will serve as temple matron, succeeding Sister Shanna Lee Labrum. He is a Primary teacher and temple sealer and is a former president of the Taiwan Taipei Mission, stake presidency counselor, bishop, and high councilor. Emergency room physician, he was born in Durango, Colorado, to Norman Floyd and Ruth Mary Nielson.

Sister Nielson is a ward Primary presidency counselor, has served with her husband as he presided over the Taiwan Taipei Mission, and is a former ward Relief Society and Young Women president and stake cultural arts specialist. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Heber Grant and Fay Wolsey.

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