William Paul Buys III

William Paul Buys III (77) passed peacefully surrounded by family on both sides of the veil on March 18, 2026. Paul was born on November 1, 1948 to his loving parents William Paul Buys II and Jewel Hall Buys. Paul married his wife, Ann Green Buys, on December 13, 1973; the two were sealed in the Ogden, Utah Temple.

Paul was raised in Bountiful, Utah. Growing up in a large family provided many opportunities for fun. Some of his favorite memories were camping with his family and taking trips to St. George to visit his Grandma. Paul loved his parents and admired them for being an example of righteousness.

Paul was called as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1967 to the Dallas, Texas mission. Upon his return he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1969. Paul earned an accounting degree from LDS Business College. He spent his career as an accountant, first for the City of Tremonton and later at Sunroc in St. George.

Paul took to the skies in 1986 after earning his private pilot's license. He loved taking his family on flights out of the small Tremonton City airport. He was also a talented performer as he brought beloved characters to life at the Stage Stop Theater in Tremonton, most notably as Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol and as Jacob in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat . His love for music continued throughout his life, as he joined the Color Country Chorus in St. George.

Paul and his wife, Ann, enjoyed nearly 52 years together before Ann passed away in 2025. For Paul, raising six children with his wife was his life's proudest achievement. He cherished the unique pockets of time they shared: the magic of being cast in plays together and the quiet camaraderie of driving them to early morning classes. He knew how to show his children a good time, from doing donuts in a snow-covered parking lot to picking out the perfect Christmas tree. His kids especially enjoyed the blueberry pancake breakfasts he would make on Saturday mornings. Paul was also a loving grandfather, always ready with a warm hug and a song for his grandchildren.

Paul is survived by his 6 children Jenny Baker (Blake), Sarah Pierce, William Buys (Shelly), Daniel Buys, Andrew Buys (Claire), and Julianne Picklesimer (Tom); his 18 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; his sister Luette Halladay, and brothers David Buys, Lawrence Buys, and Keith Buys. He is preceded in death by his wife; his parents; and his siblings Dan Buys, Lee Anne Graybill, Lynn Watson, and Leila Johnson.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 26 at 11:00 am at the Ridgeview Ward Chapel (750 N 1000 W, St George, Utah) with a viewing prior at 9:30-10:30am. The interment will follow at Tonaquint Cemetery.

Our deepest thanks to Dixie Hospice and especially his nurse, Chloe, for the tender care and comfort they provided to Dad and our family.