William Scott Barber photograph collection, 1970-1979

William Scott “Bill” Barber (1944-2007) was born on January 22, 1944 to Robert and Kathleen Barber. Barber graduated from Judge Memorial Catholic High School in Salt Lake City and obtained a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Utah. In the early 1970s, Barber worked as Technical Director for the Pioneer Memorial Theatre. He also taught lighting, makeup, sound, and set design at the University of Utah. Barber then left for southern California to work with Walt Disney Enterprises on projects including Epcot and Tokyo Disneyland. In California, he also worked for various organizations, including: Wet Laboratories, which designed outdoor fountains; Alchemy II, which created the children’s toys Teddy Ruxpin and Friends; and Technifex, a special effects company.

Barber was diagnosed with progressive rheumatoid arthritis in his 20s. When the disorder began to limit his mobility in the 1990s, Barber learned graphic design. He moved back to Salt Lake City in 1996, where he worked doing graphic design for Juan Diego and St. John the Baptist Catholic schools; he also assisted in their theater departments. Bill Barber died on December 24, 2007. (Adapted from “William S. Barber,” Obituary, Salt Lake Tribune, December 27-28, 2007).