William Terry Certonio July 11, 1943 ~ November 15, 2025

William Terry Certonio passed away from congestive heart failure on November 15, 2025, at home with family, in Washington City, UT.
He was born July 11, 1943 in Blanding, UT to William (Willy) and Barbara Palmer Certonio. He married Sandra Kay Shumway in Blanding on December 28, 1968. They were sealed in the Manti Temple on August 16, 1974.
Terry was raised in Blanding and graduated from San Juan High School, where he played trumpet with the band and being gifted with a great singing voice enjoyed singing and performing with his guitar.
He was very active in all sports and especially loved football. From San Juan High School he went on to play football for Dixie College.
During the Vietnam War, he enlisted for three years with the Army and was sent to Signal School to be a Fixed Station Radio Receiver Repairman at Fort Monmouth, NJ and Monterey Bay, CA.
After this training he was sent to Bangkok, Thailand where he gained a love for Thailand, the Thai people and Thai food.
His grade and rank was SP5 E-5. He was awarded the Sharpshooter Badge – Rifle (M-14) and National Defense Service Medal.
Returning to his hometown roots, he decided to settle down and married Sandy Shumway. As a heavy equipment operator, he earn a good living and supported his family.
He was owner/operator of C&C Construction with his Dad and brother Tony, building roads on mountain sides, in canyons, drill sites and many earth moving jobs around San Juan County.
When the company purchased a 206 Cessna airplane, Terry got his pilot’s license and enjoyed many years of flying both for business and pleasure.
In 1985, Terry and Sandy moved the family to St George, UT for work and to get out of the snow. There, he obtained his General Engineering Contractors License and was owner of Certonio & Sons.
He enjoyed working with his sons and sons in law on many projects in Washington County. He was known for his hard work, honesty, integrity and for getting a job done right.
He enjoyed listening to many kinds of music, singing, dancing, good food, westerns on TV, deer hunting and remembered for always having a joke to tell or one of his many life stories. Most of all he loved his family, children and grandchildren and was always so proud of and grateful for each of them.
He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, honoring his priesthood and serving in various callings over the years. He had a solid faith in our Heavenly Father, and his Son, Jesus Christ.
He is survived by his wife Sandra Kay Shumway Certonio (Sandy) and their seven children, Shayla (Mike) Emmett, Sean (JoAnn) Certonio, Wm Cory (Marcy) Certonio, Angela (Patrick) Brittain, Gina (Chris) Hughes, Cheryl (Doug) Wilcox, and James V (Kristen) Certonio, 27 grandchildren, five great grandchildren, brothers and sisters in law, nieces, nephews and cousins, and brothers Tony Certonio and Bob Certonio.
He is preceded in death by his parents William (Willy) and Barbara Certonio.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Washington Fields 10th Ward Missionary Fund, Humanitarian Fund or Utah Food Bank
In honor of William Terry Certonio’s Life, a funeral service was held on Monday, November 24, 2025 in St George. Interment followed with Military Honors at the Washington City Cemetery.
Family and friends are invited to share tributes online at www.SerenityStG.com. Arrangements are made under the direction of Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah.
Card of thanks
The family would like to express thanks to the Intermountain Hospice Team and especially Terry’s CNA Jonathan, who gave him such great care and lit up his day.
We would also like to express sincere and grateful appreciation to family, friends and Washington Fields 10th Ward members who have reached out and supported our family in various thoughtful ways at this tender time of our loss.