Willard Perkins

Willard Boyd Perkins, age 70, passed away peacefully on November 7th, 2026, surrounded by his caring wife and three daughters after a courageous four-year battle with Lewy Body Dementia.

Willard was born on April 30,1956, in Cedar City, Utah to Richard (Bud) and Betty Stubbs Perkins. Willard grew up on the east side of Cedar where he enjoyed all the benefits of a small town. As a child he played baseball, rode horses, raised many types of pets and critters, and enjoyed outdoor adventures as a Boy Scout. Willard also spent a lot of time swimming in Coal Creek and exploring the caves in Red Hill Canyon.
In his teen years, Willard enjoyed the rodeo scene. He was a talented rider in saddle bronc and bull riding and was part of the Cedar High rodeo club. Willard suffered a serious neck injury his senior year and had to endure many long months of recovery. After graduating in 1975, he continued to enjoy riding horses, spending time on the mountain, deer hunting with his dad and brothers, and fishing at Panguitch Lake with his family and friends.

On June 30,1979, Willard married his high school sweetheart, Elyse Bird. They were sealed in the St. George Utah Temple. Together they enjoyed their first few years of marriage in Cedar City where Willard worked at the Cedar Livestock Market as a cattle buyer. Then in 1988, they moved their family to St. George and Willard went on to spend 33 years working for Las Vegas Paving.

Willard was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and he had many Christ-like attributes. He was supportive and caring to everyone he knew. He was considered a dear friend to many and had the ability to sense when others needed comfort or just a listening ear. With his good natured attitude, he encouraged others and genuinely wanted them to be successful. Willard could see the good in everyone.
Above all, he was a devoted husband, and a gentle and loving father to his three girls.

It was a fun surprise for Willard and Elyse that after raising three girls, they would be blessed with eight rambunctious grandsons and one sweet granddaughter. He loved his grandkids with all his heart and enjoyed spending as much time as he could with them. Whether it be out on the lake casting a line, catching lizards in the backyard, or cheering them on at their various ball games, he treasured every minute.

Willard is survived by his loving wife, Elyse; his daughters, Hailey (Sean) Murphy, Bethany (Taylor) Bundy, and Ember (Kevin) Neville; his grandchildren, Lincoln, Beckett, and Quinn Murphy, and Trey, Weston, and Lane Bundy, and Colin, Lucas, and Boone Neville. His siblings, Rhonda (Paul) Dale, Mary Ann (Stan) Roberts, Bobby (Jackie) Perkins, Gary (Julie) Perkins, Shaun Perkins, and Karla (Kirk) Mountford. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Betty Perkins, and his in-laws Guy and Louise Bird.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Shawn Allen, and the Legacy Village Memory Care team.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 14, 2026 at 11:00 am at the Southern Utah Mortuary (190 N 300 W, Cedar City, Utah). Viewings will be held Friday, November 13, 2026 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and prior to the funeral Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Interment will follow at Cedar City Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. To view the livestream of the services and send online condolences, please visit www.mortuary.org.