Bryce J. Wilson, age 91, passed away June 7, 2025, due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease.

He was born in Hatch, Utah on September 4, 1933, to Lucy Viola Jones Wilson and Alvin Deliverence (A.D.) Wilson.

His early years were spent helping with his father’s cattle and working at the family-owned service station, café, and motel. He also cut timber in the Dixie National Forest. After graduating from Panguitch High School in 1951, he pursued higher education at Dixie College, earning his Associate’s Degree in 1953.

He was called to be a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in the Central Atlantic States from 1954-1956.

Following his missionary service, he was drafted into the army and served as a chaplain’s assistant in Korea from 1957-1959.

He married Ruby Luane Esplin on June 5 ,1959, in the St. George, Utah Temple. He was an exceptional example of what it means to be a kind, devoted, and loving husband and father.

He attended BYU, graduating with a BS in Music Education, and later returned to do his master’s degree, graduating in 1971.

In 1960, he began his 32-year teaching career.  He taught band and choir at North Emery High School. When the new Emery High School was completed, he spent the rest of his career there. He also taught at Canyon View Jr. High School.  Over the years his performing groups had a reputation for excellence throughout the state.  While at Emery High School, he collaborated with Grace Johansen, the drama teacher, and they did a musical every year.  He cared deeply for his students and was able to help them excel. He retired from teaching in 1998.

In 1977, he worked for Emery Mining Company for a few years as a purchasing agent.  He also served as water master for the irrigation company.

Over the years he was active in the community, coaching little league baseball for many years. He also served on the board, and later as president of the Southeastern Utah Livestock Show Committee.

He was the director of the Huntington Glee Club for over 40 years. They performed at numerous church and community events including the annual patriotic program associated with Huntington Heritage Days. He arranged much of the music they sang.  He began the tradition of the annual Christmas Program featuring the Glee Club and Women’s Chorus.  He also formed and directed a Girl’s Group that sang at church and community functions for many years.

He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  His testimony and love of the Savior infused everything he was and everything he did.  He was ordained a seventy by Milton R. Hunter and served as a stake missionary in the Emery Stake.  He served as a counselor to Bishops Leonard, Powell, and Mortensen and served as a bishop himself from 1980-1988.  He and his wife, Luane, served as ordinance workers in the Manti Temple for 12 years.  They also served as humanitarian missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Asia North Area teaching English at Railroad University.  While there, they were incorporated into the newly formed Vladivostok Mission in far east Russia.

He enjoyed raising livestock, gardening, family history work, doing jigsaw puzzles, and playing with his grandchildren.  He was kind, a good listener, a peacemaker, humble, and diligent.  He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

He showed exceptional patience during numerous bouts with cancer and the long, trying years of Parkinson’s Disease. The family would like to thank his Symbii nurses, Sandy Jensen and Shaela World.  They were so kind and conscientious in the care they provided.

He is survived by his wife, Ruby Luane of Huntington; his children, Layne (Jayme) of Payson, Elise (Wayne) of Orangeville, Evan of Tajunga, Joel (Sheral) of Spanish Fork, and Chris (Rebecca) of Rexburg; 29 grandchildren; and 36 great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by his siblings, Morley, Gene, Gerald, and Izola.

He was preceded in death by his son, Preston (Patricia Wilson Trupp); his parents, Alvin and Lucy Wilson; as well as his brother, Vee.

Funeral Service, Saturday, June 14, 2025, 11:30 a.m., Huntington Stake Center (240 North Main Street) in Huntington. The family will receive friends from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the stake center. Burial will follow in the Huntington City Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Bryce online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net