Byron Ray Christiansen Jr. passed away July 13, 2017, in St. George, Utah. He was born Aug. 29, 1928, in Ely, Nevada, to Byron Ray and LaVerne Grantham Christiansen. He was the oldest of six children. He was raised in Cherry Creek, Nevada, and resided in Tooele, Cedar City and St. George, Utah, with his wife, Norma, until her death on Nov. 8, 2003. He enlisted in the Merchant Marines at the end of World War II.
Ray married his sweetheart and companion of 55 years, Norma LaVon Rigby, on July 1, 1948, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Ray married Nina Hoopes Cloward on Nov. 25, 2006, and they have resided in St. George. She has lovingly cared for him since he suffered a stroke in 2010.
He is survived by his wife, Nina; daughters: Beverly (Ron) Bateman and Karen Christiansen; five grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren (with one more on the way); and two great-great-grandchildren. He is also is survived by stepchildren: James Lloyd, Kellidee (Dean) George and Tom (Carin) Cloward; seven step-grandchildren; 16 step-great-grandchildren; one sister, LaNile Bracken; and brother, Douglas Christiansen. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Max and Wayne Christiansen; sister, Echo Hampton; and stepdaughter, Karralee (Jim) Lloyd.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Primary Children’s Hospital.
Funeral services will be held in Tooele, Utah, on Saturday, July 22, 2017, at 11 a.m. at the Tooele LDS Ward Chapel located at 253 S. 200 East. A visitation will be held Saturday prior to services, from 9:30-10:45 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Tooele City Cemetery. Metcalf Mortuary will handle funeral arrangements. For condolences and a full obituary, please visit our website www.metcalfmortuary.com or call 435-673-4221.