St. George, Utah - Royce A. Bills passed away peacefully in his St. George, Utah home on Friday September 18, 2015. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, and faithful member of the LDS Church. Royce was born in Meeker, Colorado on December 14, 1937 to Gilbert and Florence Ottosen Bills. Soon after his family relocated to Evanston, Wyoming where his father worked as a funeral director. Royce met his eternal companion Lorie during high school in Evanston and after graduation attended BYU. He served a mission to the Eastern States Mission. On March 11, 1960 Royce was married and sealed to Loris Ball in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They then moved to San Francisco, California where he graduated school and returned to follow in his father's footsteps as a funeral director in Evanston. Royce and Lorie were blessed with 6 children while in Evanston. In 1977, Royce changed careers and they moved to Taylorsville Utah. Royce built many buildings in the downtown Salt Lake City area and was able to help remodel the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They were blessed with another child while in Taylorsville. Royce continued his career in Henderson Nevada where they lived for 6 years before arriving in St George Utah in 1994 where they currently reside. Royce held many civic and religious positions over the years. Some of his most memorable were as Fire Captain, County Coroner, Scout Master, Bishop, and many others. Royce loved to meet people and would soon find a connection with most everyone he met. He is survived by his wife, Lorie Bills; children: Ann (Duff) Astin, David (Kate) Bills, Diane Bills, Dawna (Brent) Pedersen, Denice (Carey) Maedgen, Danelle (Perry) Bsharah, Daniel (Crystal) Bills; 19 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. in the Snow Canyon North LDS Chapel, 1610 N Dixie Downs Drive, St. George, Utah. A visitation will be held Wednesday, prior to services, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Chapel. Interment will be in Tonaquint Cemetery. The family wishes to thank the kind care givers at Sun Tree Hospice, and Dixie Regional Medical Center.
