"Jay" Willard J Barney

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Willard J.  “Jay” Barney, Jr.,87, returned to his Heavenly Father on July 19, 2012 in Richfield.  He was born June 12, 1925 in Hatch, to Willard J. and Mary Emma Riggs Barney.
After graduating from Richfield High School, Dad enlisted in the United States Army and served his country honorably during World War II, participating  in the Normandy D-Day Invasion and the Battle of the Bulge.
After returning home he married Tina Patricia Larsen “Pat” December 15, 1945 in Richfield.  That marriage was solemnized in the Manti Temple, June 30, 1947.  They have four children and raised four foster children.
Dad apprenticed as an electrician.   After becoming  licensed, he started his own electrical contracting business, The Barney Co.  He also added a boat and motor sales and repair business and became certified to work on outboard motors.
Dad was a wonderful example of love and devotion to his faith, serving in many church positions throughout his life.  He loved being a stake missionary, working in the Scouting program, Sunday School presidency, Stake Mission President, Primary teacher, home teacher and on the stake high council.   He loved being a greeter on Sunday morning before church and usually had a piece of candy for the children.
Dad loved his family above everything else and spending time together with them.  Precious memories of hunting, fishing, camping, boating and water skiing were made through many family outings.  He was a guide for mackinaw fishing at Fish Lake for many years.
He believed in the goodness of people and extended a helping hand to many stranded by the side of the road, or struggling in any way.  Dad’s concern for others led him to serve on the Richfield City Council and as a Chaplin for the Sevier Valley Hospital.   Dad could do anything.  He was always available to help on a project or remodel the house, or fix a bike or wagon or anything that anyone brought to him.
We will miss his devotion to our family, his smile and seeing his face light up at seeing Mom, the kids, or the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He loved babies and small children more than anything.  His family was his treasure, especially our wonderful mom.  Everything he did in his life was for them.  He is proud of their accomplishments.  He often said with tears in his eyes, that he and Mom had been blessed with the best family there ever was.
He is survived by his wife, Pat; children: Jayrene (Bryce) Nielsen, Patricia (John) Jones, Lenard Jay (Pauline) Barney and Scott (ShaReece) Barney; foster children, Mary Ann Baloo, Marilyn (Bill) Cly, Pauline (Elvis) Boyd, and Teresa Baloo; 19 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren with two on the way; 15 foster grandchildren and several foster great-grandchildren.
Proceeded in death by his parents; brothers Floyd, Ned, Van and Duane Barney; granddaughter, Jodie Ann Jones.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in the Richfield 4th Ward, 159 North 400 West. Friends may call Tuesday from 6-8 at the Magleby Mortuary, 50 South 100 West and Wednesday at the ward chapel from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Richfield City Cemetery with military rites by the V.F.W. Sevier Post #5050 and Utah Honor Guard. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com

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