Wilford Ray Hardy

1920-2011



Wilford Ray Hardy, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on Oct. 26, 2011 following a brief illness.

He was born Oct. 4, 1920 to Alma Harold Hardy and Bertha Stahle Hardy. He married his sweetheart, Mary Piepgrass, on March 5, 1943 and they were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple.

During WWII, Ray served in the European theater of combat, as an Army artillery officer. He continued his service in the Army Reserve where he retired at the rank of Colonel.

He graduated from the University of Utah as a Civil Engineer. He worked for the Bureau of Reclamation in Ogden and on many phases of the Central Utah Water Project where he retired as the Chief Engineer of the Duchesne Office.

Ray was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, where he faithfully served in many ward callings. He was an ordinance worker in the Salt Lake and Bountiful temples for over 20 years.

An excellent marksman, he loved to hunt and fish and passed this passion on to his son and grandsons. He loved dogs and enjoyed working with tools and could build or fix nearly anything. He was always willing to help a neighbor or family member work on a project.

Preceded in death by his wife Mary; his parents, and three sisters; Edna Hendricks, Vonda Burningham and Faye Richards. Survived by his two children; Kent R. Hardy (Josie) Lewistown, MT and Joan H. Taylor (Jerry), North Salt Lake, UT; seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, good friends and neighbors.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 at the Bountiful Tabernacle, 100 South Main Street. Friends may call Friday, Oct. 28, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary, 727 N. 400 E. and Saturday 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the Tabernacle prior to the services. Interment at Bountiful City Cemetery with military honors.