Timothy Ray Willie

Timothy Ray Willie, 68, returned to his Heavenly Father on Friday, January 12, 2018 in Murray, Utah

Tim was born in Logan, Utah, on December 13, 1949, the oldest son of Carl and Carol Dawn Willie. He spent most of his childhood in Malad, Idaho, with a short time in Montana. He learned at a young age how to work, working alongside his father and his brothers on the family farm. He also developed a love for music from his mother. He played the trumpet, and was part of a jazz band while in high school.

Tim graduated from Malad High School in May, 1968. He then attended Utah State University and earned degrees in Business and Education, graduating in 1972.

Football was always a big part of Tim’s life. He loved playing football! He played football for Malad High School, playing running back and linebacker. He then went on to play at Utah State University. Because of his love for the game, he spent many hours teaching football to the youth. Sometimes he was coaching the entire team and at other times he was working one on one with his sons or grandsons. He also wrestled and played baseball while in high school. He loved watching his children and grandchildren compete in sports, dance, piano and any other activities they were involved in.

On September 5, 1969, Tim married his high school sweetheart, Julie Parry, in the Salt Lake Temple. They are the parents of five children.

Tim and Julie spent the early years of their marriage in Logan working to complete their educations. They then came back to live in Malad for a while where Tim coached high school football, taught school, and worked on the family farm. They decided to try something new and Tim went to work for his grandfather, SA Hendricks, in his oil and gas business. This took the family to Idaho Falls, Idaho, and then to Gresham, Oregon, before they settled back in Malad where he worked on the family farm along with being employed at Thiokol, teaching school, selling real estate, and helping to coach football. He also served on boards and commissions including the Oneida School Board and the Idaho Cattleman Association, where he was serving as Vice President at the time of his death.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had a great testimony of the gospel that never wavered. He served in many callings over the years including Counselor in the Bishopric of the Pleasantview Ward and Malad Second Ward, Ward Clerk, Executive Secretary, Ward Missionary Leader, Elder’s Quorum President, Sunday School President, and a teacher in several organizations. He was a good teacher because he had a great knowledge of the gospel and he always spoke from the heart.

In 1981, Tim was in a serious farming accident that almost took his life. He spent the rest of his life with a hand that had no fingers, yet he never complained. He just had to find different ways to do some things.

Tim loved the farm! He loved working on the farm with his sons and grandsons. He loved working on the land, driving the equipment, and taking care of the animals.

Tim is survived by his wife of 48 years, Julie; his five children: Krishele (David) Jensen, Timothy Kirk (Kami) Willie, and Thomas Ray (Amber) Willie, all of Malad; Melissa (Branden) Braegger of Brigham City, Utah; and Shannon (Ben) Barker of Herriman, Utah. He is also survived by 24 grandchildren who he supported in everything they did: Janalie Jensen, Joshua (Ashlee) Jensen, Karsyn Willie, Sister Rylee Braegger, Elder Calvin Willie, Sister Natalie Jensen, Tate Braegger, Kassidy Willie, Raychel Willie, Kristle Jensen, Bronsen Braegger, Maggie Willie, Madisyn Barker, Kole Willie, Timothy Jensen, Colton Barker, Brielle Braegger, Joe Willie, Sam Willie, Jack Willie, Kyson Willie, Tessa Braegger, Paige Barker, and Mason Barker. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Emo Lou Parry of Malad; his brother Randy (Lois) Willie of Malad; his sister Laurie (Jeff) Richins, of Malad; and his sister-in-law Karen (the late Paul) Willie of Sydney, Montana. He is also survived by four sisters-in-law and their spouses as well as many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Carol Dawn Willie; his younger brother Gregory Paul Willie; his father-in-law Thomas Parry.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 18, at the Malad Stake Center at 12:00 noon. A viewing will be held on Wednesday, January 17, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Malad Stake Center as well as on Thursday morning from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Internment will be in the Malad City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tim’s memory to the Oneida Education Foundation c/o Malad Elementary, 250 W. 400 North, Malad, ID 83252.