(April 18, 1945—October 10, 2014)
Vernal L. Ashley, age 69, passed away October 10, 2014. Vernal was born April 18, 1945, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Vernal L. Ashley, Sr. and Lorraine Welch Ashley. He and Valerie Marett Ashley were married in Tooele, Utah, on June 4, 1974.
Vernal grew up in Salt Lake City where he joined the Army in 1963. He served honorably for fifteen years, including three tours in Vietnam where he was wounded a total of three times. Vernal left the Army in 1976 and spent the next four years working and attending Utah Technical College. He was awarded an Associate’s Degree in welding in 1980 and was then employed by Hill Air Force Base. Due to wounds suffered in Vietnam, Vernal was forced to take disability retirement in 1987.
He and Valerie moved to St. George in 1993. Vernal became very active in volunteer service once moving to St. George. He was a volunteer with the BLM Arizona District, spending many happy hours on the Arizona Strip. Later, he became a volunteer with the Dixie Regional Medical Center working at the Hospital Thrift Store and later at the 400 East Campus. Vernal was never happier than when he was helping a new mother and her baby as they left the hospital.
Vernal is survived by his wife, Valerie.
Funeral Services
- A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Oct. 18, at 1 p.m. at the Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff Street, St. George, Utah.
Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, telephone 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign his guest book at the Spilsbury Mortuary website.