St George, Utah – Sonja Anderson Bailey, age 81, passed away on 2 December 2020 in St. George, Utah from complications from an aneurysm rupture. She was born to Oliver Martel and Vera Knudsen Anderson on 24 June 1939 in Junction, Piute County, Utah. Sonja was the fifth of nine children. She married Boyd Standley Workman on July 29, 1957 in Salt Lake City, Utah. They had three daughters and twin sons. Boyd died July 17, 1960 in a car accident shortly before the birth of the twins. Sonja married Gale Lee Bailey on June 12, 1962 in Elko, Nevada. Sonja and Gale added two more sons and one more daughter to the family.

Sonja spent her childhood in Junction, Utah, helping her parent and siblings work the family farm and livestock business. She graduated from Piute High School in Junction. After getting married, she and Boyd moved to San Diego where they began raising their young family. Boyd was active Navy and would be gone often on maneuvers. After Boyd's death in San Diego, Sonja moved with her small children back home to Junction, where she eventually met Gale Lee Bailey. After Sonja and Gale married they lived in Junction for a short time before moving to Salt Lake City, where Gale could pursue his career as a diesel mechanic. Gale had served twenty years as a mechanic in the Navy. After raising their family, Sonja and Gale retired to St. George, Utah, where they remained until Gale passed away on February 17, 2010. Later, Sonja sold her house and moved in with her youngest daughter, Alison, where she spent several years enjoying the company of family. The last few months Sonja lived with daughter Arlene, who cared for her full-time.

Sonja is preceded in death by her husbands: Boyd S. Workman and Gale L. Bailey; infant daughter, Workman; son, Standley B. Workman; son-in-law, Tracy D. Cannon.

She is survived by her children: Joan Keller, Arlene Cannon, Wendell B. (Tatiana) Bailey, Jeffrey L. (Jackie) Bailey, Bartley G. (Carrin) Bailey and Alison (Ryan) Larkin; 26 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Sonja Bailey Service Program

Live streaming web-cast is available by clicking below. Web-cast will remain on-line for 90 days.