Parley Boyd Hales, 85, passed away on February 8, 2023 at his home in Mapleton, UT. He was preceded in death by his parents and two of his brothers – Blaine and Raymon Hales. Boyd is survived by his wife, Lyona, and 5 children – Lisa (Scott) Budge, Reid (Julie) Hales, Michelle (Bill) Dolinar, Marianne Hales and Betsy (Garrett) Rose. Boyd and Lyona have 17 beautiful grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Boyd was born September 2, 1937 to Reid and Zora Hales. Boyd grew up on a small farm. He instilled this love of gardening in all of his children. Boyd went to Utah State University (USU) for two years after high school and studied Electrical Engineering. In 1957, he was called to serve a three-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southern Far East Mission. About 20 years later, Boyd would serve as a mission president in Taiwan. After retirement, he and Lyona would return again to teach English at Beijing University.

After his mission, Boyd transferred to Brigham Young University (BYU), pursuing a degree in business and banking. While going to school after his mission, he enlisted in the army in the National Guard/Reserve in Utah, California and Illinois.

Boyd’s “best find” was Lyona Cox. Lyona had a beautiful voice and he was a talented pianist. One Sunday, Lyona was visiting Boyd and joined the choir practice that Boyd accompanied. The choir director wanted her to sing a solo so Boyd was instructed to bring her each week to practice. Boyd always said he fell in love with Lyona because he had to drive her weekly to church choir. They were married in 1963 before heading to California for Boyd to get an MBA from Stanford.

After graduating from Stanford, Boyd accepted many banking jobs across the United States – Chicago, IL (Northern Trust Company), Detroit, MI (Detroit Bank and Trust), Phoenix, AZ (Valley National Bank), and Provo, UT (Zion’s National Bank). Moving to Utah allowed him to move his family back to his hometown of Mapleton where they built a home on the old farm.

Boyd loved going to and working at the temple. He worked 10 years at the Provo Temple and 3 years at the Payson Temple. Boyd had many hobbies – wood turning, biking, reading, mowing the lawn, and doing errands. He longed to learn about history and the cultures of people he visited. Many of his books reflect this longing.

Boyd made the world a better place and raised a family that will forever be grateful for his love and support. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 17, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at 475 N 1600 W Mapleton with a viewing at 9:45 a.m. prior to the service. An additional viewing will be held the evening prior, February 16, 2023, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at 475 N 1600 W Mapleton.

Services will be livestreamed.  Please return to this page shortly before 11:00 a.m. Friday morning, February 17, 2023 and click on the link below:

Parley Boyd Hales- LIVESTREAM