Former Minden man celebrates 90th birthday

Wilbur “Bill” Sutton Thain, M.D., a former resident of Minden, is celebrating his 90th birthday on Nov. 4.

Thain was born to Wilbur Evans and Elizabeth Sutton Thain in Logan, Utah on Nov. 4, 1925. He graduated from University High School. After one year at UCLA, he joined the Naval Air Corp and received his wings as World War II ended. He returned to the University of Southern California at Los Angeles for undergraduate school and to University of Southern California for medical school in 1948.

Thain worked for Howard Hughes’ private office nights while going to medical school. He became Hughes’ private physician in the 1970s.

Thain married Ruthie J. Tait in June 1951. He and Ruthie moved to Logan, Utah, in 1955, where he started his medical practice. He helped establish the Exceptional Children’s Center, now the Center for Persons with Disabilities, at Utah State University. He retired at 75 to live in Minden.

He and Ruthie have four children: Karen (Rod) Curtis, Dr. David S. (Jari) Thain, Susan (Ross) Olsen and Paul E. (Geishaye) Thain. They have seven grandchildren, Ryan, Amy, Lacey, Colton, Katelin, Kelsie, and Sean, and eight great-grandchildren, Stetson, Chayton, Taylie, Shelbie, Preslie, Lilli, Tait and Tayson.

Thain’s family is honoring him from 3 to 6 p.m. Nov. 7 with an open house at the Benson Ward, 3432 N. 3000 W., Benson. All relatives, friends and ex-patients are invited to attend. Cards can be sent to 2923 N 2400 W., Smithfield, Utah 84335-9748.