DeLoy Udy Ottley

1929 – 2023

Orem, Utah – DeLoy Udy Ottley, beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend passed away on October 11, 2023 in Orem, Utah. He lived a long life and will be missed by his family and friends. DeLoy was born on June 15, 1929 in Elba, Idaho to Frederick Edward and Vivian Udy Ottley. DeLoy was the fourth of eight children born to Fred and Vivian. He also had a half-sister and 2 half-brothers. When he was 14 years old his mother passed away, consequently he was sent to live with his Grandma and Grandpa Udy in Connor Creek, Idaho.

DeLoy attended primary school in Elda and high school in Malta Idaho where he graduated from Raft River High School in 1948.

After high school graduation, DeLoy served in the Great Lakes Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon returning from his mission, he and his father, along with 2 brothers, set out to find new employment at Hill Field in Northern Utah. All four of them were able to secure jobs and moved to Utah within days.

On February 14 1952 DeLoy was drafted into the United States Marine Corp. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where he was taught how to maintain tanks. DeLoy was then sent to Incheon, South Korea for the next 15 months. He loved to tell the story that a peace agreement was signed 15 days after he arrived in Korea, so he did not shoot at his enemy nor was he shot at by the enemy during his time in Korea. After leaving Korea, he served out the remainder of his enlistment at Camp Pendleton in Southern California.

After serving 3 years in the Marine Corp, DeLoy returned to Hill Field to work and was living with his father and stepmother in Clearfield when he met the woman that eventually became his wife, Effie Flinders. They were married on September 16, 1955 in the Salt Lake City Temple. Together they had six children, 4 sons and 2 daughters.

He retired from Civil Service and then went to work for Davis School District as a school bus driver, where he earned a second retirement. He considered himself a bus driver until the day he died. In fact, the Care Center where he was living at the time of his passing, had a bus that they used to take the residents on outings in. He often coached the activities director who drove the bus on how to drive it. He often complimented her on what a great bus driver she was.

DeLoy and Effie spent many years traveling and camping in the many motorhomes that they owned. Together they traveled all over the United States and Canada and several trips to Alaska to visit their daughter and her family.

DeLoy was a very talented man. There were few things that he would not attempt to do, including home remodeling and repairs. He built a garage from the footing to the roof, which was very impressive to see. He poured the footing, laid the foundation and bricks, built the trusses, installed an overhead door, and constructed and shingled the roof. This project was completed almost entirely by himself. He also completely remodeled the kitchen in their home in Layton, Utah.

DeLoy and Effie wanted to move to a warmer location, so they had a new home built in St George, Utah that they helped to design. They finally had their dream home that they lived in until Effie passed away on the 23rd of March of this year.

DeLoy will be cherished and missed by his family and friends. He was a kind and humble person and often gave service to those in need. He is survived by his 6 children: Ronald (Cindy); Allen (Leslie); Linda (Dennis) Shriver; Kathleen Robinson; Jay (Cathy); and Frederick “Dee”; sister Vivian Crosby; sister-in-law Gloria; half-brothers David (Charlene); and Robert (Janice). In addition, he was the proud Grandfather to 14 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and stepmother Inez; brothers Dean (Margaret); Harold (Donna); Leo (Annabelle); Hugh (Wilma); sisters Gwen (Lamont) Beyler; Maxine (Gayle) Layton; brother-in-law Larry Crosby; and half-sister Susan Palmer.

Funeral services for DeLoy will be held on Saturday, October 21st at 12:00 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 1198 East 2000 South Elba, Idaho. A viewing will be held prior to the service at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at the Elba Grandview Cemetery following the service.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Pine View Mortuary 435-986-4222. Please visit our website www.pineviewmortuary.com for full obituary and funeral service listing.