Roy Willard Hansen

Roy Willard Hansen, 96, of Firth, Idaho, passed away peacefully in his sleep July 14, 2009.

He was born Feb. 16, 1913 in Bear River City, Utah to Jacob P. and Julia Johanson Hansen, the fourth of eight boys and one sister.  He was raised on the family dry farm near Roy, Idaho.  He went to school in a one room school near the farm through the eighth grade.  He learned to work hard and was a good horse wrangler.  He taught himself to play the violin, guitar, harmonica and banjo and would play with a band at many of the dance halls from Holbrook to Rockland.

On Feb. 24, 1941 he married Ruby Hurd in Pocatello, ID and in 1945 their marriage was solemnized in the Logan, Utah LDS temple.  In 1944 they bought a farm in the Kimball area where they raised their seven children.  On Dec. 20, 1963 Ruby died in an automobile accident and Roy spent a few months recovering from his injuries.

In 1966 he met Margaret Johnson Heaps and they were married Aug. 27, 1966 in Pocatello, ID and adding her four married children and grandchildren to the family. 

He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Until two years ago he grew a garden.  He whittled, making many chains and made miniature wagons, buggies, stage coaches and the horses and oxen.  He learned to oil paint and painted several beautiful paintings.  He loved the beauty of God’s creations and enjoyed going for a drive and taking roads he had not been down before.   He loved to go fishing.  He enjoyed visiting with friends and family and had a great sense of humor.  He loved visits from his little great grandchildren and always had M&Ms to give them. 

He is survived by his wife, Margaret of Firth; his sons, Dennis (Cathy) Hansen and John (Darlene) Hansen of Firth; daughters, Nadine (Stan) Poulson of Duchesne, UT;  Sharon (John) Shaw of Plain City, UT; Julie Hansen of Shelley;  and Rose Marie (David) Johnson of Blackfoot; stepsons, Melvin (Tamra) Heaps of Harrisville, UT;  Ronald (Beverly) Heaps of Las Vegas, NV; and stepdaughters, Luana (Gerry) Cluff of Blackfoot; and Nancy (Gary) Haven of Pinetop, AZ; 47 grandchildren, 86 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren, one brother, Robert (Laura) Hansen of Downey; and one sister, Betty Hansen of Logan, UT.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruby, one daughter, Janice Hansen, his parents and six brothers.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, July 18, 2009 at

the Kimball Ward Chapel (744 North 600 East) in Firth with Bishop Boyd Peterson conducting

. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7:00 till 8:30 P.M. at Nalder Funeral Home (110 West Oak) in Shelley and Saturday morning 9:30 till 10:40 at the church.  Burial will be in the Firth Cemetery.