Only the Good Die Young

 While on our vacation, five people died that, had we been home, we would have attended their funerals.  Three were older:  Rosemary McFadden, Chris Spilker, and Ken's cousin, Rosella.  But two were young:  Tyler Hall, 35 and Emily Smith Bills, 34.  

Tyler Hall

Tyler is the son of Ken's lifelong friend from Hurricane, Brent Hall.  Brent was Ken's partner at the firm for awhile.  Tyler got lung cancer about three years ago.  Though there were ups and downs since and times of great hope, he finally passed away.

St. George, Utah – Tyler was a disciple of Jesus Christ. The best of men. He dedicated his life to serving God and his neighbor. Tyler Orwin Hall, 35, returned to his Heavenly home on September 30, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. He fought a brave battle with lung cancer for nearly 3 years. He was born on March 22, 1987, to Brent and Gina Hall of St George. Tyler is the third of six children.

Tyler loved helping his grandpas on their farm and ranch. When he was four years old, he would call Grandpa Gubler to make sure he had fed the cows and that he had kicked the hay into the manger. He also liked to help Grandpa Hall on the ranch rounding up cattle.

Tyler loved BYU football and watched every game and memorized all the players and stats. His nickname in sixth grade was “BYU.” Tyler excelled in youth football and basketball. He also played football at Dixie Junior High School and Dixie High School.

Tyler earned his Eagle Scout award at 14 and then three Eagle Palms. He served on Timberline staff twice and then Varsity All-Star staff. He also earned his Duty to God Award and graduated from Seminary. Tyler was Dixie High School valedictorian and Regional Sterling Scholar. He was very good at woodworking and worked through high school at a cabinet shop. Tyler graduated with his Associate Degree from Dixie State University one year after high school.

Tyler received his mission call to the Bangkok, Thailand Mission in 2006. He taught about Jesus Christ and served the people of Thailand for two wonderful years. He loved his mission and would talk about it often.

Tyler met his sweetheart, Jamie Hermansen, while playing on an Ultimate Frisbee team the summer of 2009. They dated that summer and became best friends. When fall arrived, Tyler went back to school at BYU, and Jamie stayed at Dixie State. They continued to date long distance until they were sealed in the St George temple on December 29, 2009.

After their marriage Jamie transferred to UVU and Tyler continued his education at BYU. Tyler graduated with his master’s degree in accounting in 2012. He studied diligently the following months and passed the CPA exam his first time. Tyler was blessed with an incredible job right out of school in St George. He loved working as a CPA at Savage, Esplin and Radmall. He talked often of how much he enjoyed working with his clients and co-workers. He loved people and was great with numbers.

In the summer of 2012, Tyler and Jamie were blessed with their first baby and over the coming years added three more children to the mix. Tyler was an incredible father. He was a hero to his children. He was ever patient and kind and loved spending time with them. He also loved playing sports, hiking, and watching BYU football with his family.

Tyler was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many callings throughout his life. He was executive secretary in the bishopric, scoutmaster, Young Men's president and Sunday School president. He received advanced scout training at Woodbadge. He loved serving in the St George 7th Ward and Green Valley 3rd Ward. Tyler also loved serving in the temple. The temple was a place of peace and happiness for him.

Tyler loved the St George community. He served as the President of the St George BYU Management Society and on the St George Chamber of Commerce Board. He also served as a board member of the Utah Association of CPA's.

Family was so important to Tyler. He loved his big extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. He made many wonderful memories with them over his lifetime. Tyler made and kept so many friends. He was well-loved by everyone because of his great love for them. His friends knew Tyler loved them.

Tyler had a loving relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He knew the plan of salvation and that death wasn't the end. It is only a step in our journey to becoming like God. His life is a testimony of his great love for God and all mankind.

Tyler is survived by his wife, Jamie Hall, and their four children: Preston, Levi, Haylie, and Hannah. He is also survived by his parents, Brent and Gina Hall; his five siblings: Angie (Brock) Norman, Steven (Kari) Hall, Tiffany (Joey) Brown, Eric (Cassie) Hall, and Heather (Grant) Baldwin; and his grandparents: Orwin and Velda Gubler and Roland Hall. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Thelma Hall.

Our family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the medical community in St George and Denver. Thank you for helping Tyler throughout his journey with lung cancer. You made a difference with your knowledge and kindness.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 8, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. in the Green Valley Stake Center, 511 South Valley View Drive, St. George, Utah. Visitations will be held at the Stake Center on Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, prior to services, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 South Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah.

Emily Smith Bills is the daughter of our mission president, Jeffrey and Karen Smith.  Though we never met Emily, we know her parents well.  She came from California to visit her parents and spent a wonderful day with them.  Her husband and sons arrived that evening.  They went to bed and Emily died in her sleep that night.  

Emily Rachel Smith Bills Our precious Emily passed away unexpectedly but peacefully from natural causes on September 27, 2022 while visiting family at her childhood home in the presence of her husband with parents, sons, and family close by. Emily was born to Jeffrey R. and Karen B. Smith in Fort Polk (Leesville), Louisiana on October 19, 1988. As a child she lived in Salt Lake City, Utah and Honolulu, Hawaii, but Provo, Utah was the hometown where she valiantly cheered for her BYU Cougars and performed with the BYU Folk Dancers. She had a great three-point shot and relished playing backyard basketball with her boys. Emily cherished spending time with her family at Hilton Head Island, Hawaii, and Newport Coast where Kelly proposed. Emily graduated from Timpview High School in 2007 and from Brigham Young University in 2012. Emily has lovingly served so many as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At the time of her passing she was serving as a Primary President in the Tassajara Creek Ward in Pleasanton, CA. She loved children and they loved her. Emily married Kelly A. Bills on March 6, 2009 in the Timpanogos Temple in American Fork, Utah. Their union was filled with joy as they welcomed three precious sons, Brooks, Cooper, and Jace. In fact, the night before her passing, Emily expressed to her family that she wished every marriage could be as “joyful as mine.” Emily was “all in” with Kelly’s college coaching career and felt blessed to settle in Pleasanton, CA as Kelly transitioned to a new career. Emily found great joy in being a wife, mother, and friend to so many. She loved her husband and boys tenderly and fiercely. They were and are her heart. Emily is survived by her husband Kelly, and her children Brooks (9), Cooper (6), and Jace (3). Also by her parents Jeff and Karen Smith, grandmother Marjorie Cutchen Bone Crowley, and siblings Kara (Taylor) West, Erin (Jon) Fife, Jeffrey (Melinda Free) Smith, John F. (Lindsey Layton) Smith, and Rebecca (Devon) McBee. Also surviving are Randy and Robin Bills and their children K.C. (Stacy Johnson) Bills, Kevan (Stephanie Jensen) Bills, Craig (Rachel Nixon) Bills, and Kimberlee (Riley) Corbin along with numerous nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, and cousins. Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 3, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Rock Canyon Ward Chapel, 3050 Mojave Lane, Provo UT. Emily radiated the light of our Savior, Jesus Christ. She knows him. She loves him. She has always served him. She is with Him now.

Both of these deaths are so sad. We watched both of the funerals online.  Both were exceptionally beautiful funerals, leaving lasting impressions.  We continue to pray for their families.