James Ellsworth Hoyal, beloved father and grandfather, died August 17, 1999 at the age of 85, at his home in Orem, Utah.
He was born October 14, 1913, in Clinton, Utah, the first son of Lawrence and Lenora Owen Hoyal. He was raised in Los Angeles, California, and graduated from Alhambra High School in 1932. He excelled in track, music, debate, and drama and played the saxophone, piano, and drums. He married Winona Christensen on August 29, 1932 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They started their married life on an orange ranch in Orosi, California. Later they moved to Alhambra, and then to El Monte where they spent most of their married life and there they raised their family of 11 children. He worked in the aircraft industry as a Tool and Die maker and was proud that he helped make the tools for the rocket engines that landed man on the moon and put the shuttle into space. In November 1983, James and Winona left El Monte to serve a mission to the London Temple. Upon their return in May 1985, they settled in Orem, where he lived until his death.From the time James was a young man he was always serving the Lord. No matter what the calling in the church, which were numerous, he was just happy to serve. From 1956 - 1965, he was called to serve as bishop of the El Monte Ward. His great love was temple work which began in 1980 in the Los Angeles Temple. In 1983 he was called to serve as a sealer in the London Temple and later served in the Provo and Mount Timpanogos Temples. He published four books of family history and spent countless hours doing family history research.
James is survived by his 11 children: Winona Mariane (Cliff) Ferguson, Phelan, CA; James C. (Rayola) Hoyal, Orem, UT; Donna Laurine (Bob) Ramos, Dayton, OR; David D. (Dawna) Hoyal, Melford, OR; Sylvia Julienne (Ray) Patterson, Provo, UT; Ralph P. (Mona Lisa) Hoyal, Santa Rosa, CA; Carl L. (LeAnn) Hoyal, Orem, UT; Karen Joy (Bruce) Van Orden, Springville, UT; Michael A. (Heidi) Hoyal, Alta Loma, CA; Stephen D. (Christena) Hoyal, Highland, UT; Neil E. (Virginia) Hoyal, Big Fork, MN; two brothers, Norman S. Hoyal and Mark L. Hoyal and one sister Lenora E. Parkinson. He is preceded in death by one brother, Lawrence L. Hoyal; one sister, Norma Z. Seislstad; and two grandsons and two granddaughters. At the time of death he had 63 grandchildren, 92 great grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Five of his children and 22 of his grandchildren have served missions for the LDS Church.
James was known as a man who loved every one, especially children, and he always saw the best in others. His life demonstrated his love for the Lord and he taught that safety and security came only from trusting in the Lord - he lived life of a valiant servant. He was a great example and inspiration to everyone especially his family, and he was known for his bold and courageous testimony. He will be missed by all. We celebrate your life by striving to live the standards you set for us. We love you Dad.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 24, 1999 at 11:00 a.m. in the Orem 6th Ward Chapel, 365 South 900 East, Orem, UT. Friends may call Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 East 800 North, Orem, and Tuesday morning at the church from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. prior to service. Burial will be in the Orem City Cemetery.
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