Michael Wade Hassell

Michael Wade Hassell, beloved husband, stepfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend passed away on November 5, 2024. Born in Salt Lake City on December 17, 1967. He was a loved son of Wayne and Eva Hassell. He was a skilled musician who played trumpet in a marching band and loved playing the guitar.

He lived his first 39 years in New Mexico. Much of this time was spent working with his dad on various construction projects. He considered the problem-solving skills he gained through these experiences as one of his greatest blessings in life. He regularly solved problems that “couldn’t be solved.”

In 2007 he moved to Utah where he met and married Betty Truman Banning on June 14, 2008, in the Jordan River Temple. They lived in Price, Utah, and eventually moved to his current home in Pleasant Grove in 2017. Betty was his best friend, and they loved being together and doing things together - especially golfing and traveling.

He loved working on cars and motorcycles. Riding his motorcycle was his “wind therapy”. In 2014 he graduated with a degree in auto mechanics and became a high school teacher. He loved teaching his auto shop students at Timpview High School in Provo. Instructing the students on maintaining and fixing cars and improving their critical thinking skills was a high priority. He loved the students that he taught and felt a real connection to them and looked out for their success. 

Michael had a unique and brilliant mind. He was witty and was the entertainer wherever he went - a favorite of the nieces and nephews. He inherited his grandpa’s sense of humor. 

He was always willing to serve people and stick up for people who were underdogs. Having experienced his own life struggles, he was particularly sensitive to those in tough situations. He believed in people when others didn’t. He had unfailing devotion to his friends and family members. He was always willing to help friends with their car problems. It is fitting that his last words spoken in this life were, “tell me about your car troubles.”

Michael is survived by his wife, Betty, two stepchildren, Logan Banning and Brittney Banning, his father Wayne Hassell (Elizabeth) and siblings Klark, Kim Capri, Kyle (Janet), David, Tanya Borough (Bryan), Trent (Ronna), Anna Knotts (James) and Martin (Mary), and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his mother, Eva Lou Burrows Hassell and brothers Kerry (Lenora) and Kris.

A viewing will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 425 East 500 North, Pleasant Grove, on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, from 9:30 am to 10:45 am. The funeral will follow at 11 am. Interment at Enterprise City Cemetery, Enterprise, Utah on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, at 11 am.