Vilda Bulloch Ronnow-Hill

RonnowVilda   Obit(September 6, 1916 – March 19, 2015)

Vilda Bulloch Ronnow-Hill died of natural causes on March 19, 2015, at her home in St. George, Utah. She was 98 years old. She was born at home on September 6, 1916, to David Cattle Bulloch and Caroline Neilson Bulloch in Cedar City, Utah.

She married James Price Ronnow on November 10, 1937, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple; they enjoyed 54 years of marriage until his death. They had four children: James, Gretchen, Allan Price, and Mary. Vilda later married Chester Smith of Cedar City, also now deceased and at the time of her death was married to Vernon Hill of St. George.

Vilda was raised in Cedar City, attended nursing school at the University of Utah, and then attended the BAC (now SUU) in Cedar City, where she met Price. After they married they lived in Panaca, Nevada, then (after the War) moved to Fallon, Nevada, and later, Reno, Nevada.

In 1971 they left Reno and moved to St. George where they enjoyed the proximity to her beloved Cedar Mountain, the Canyonlands, and the other scenic splendors. They also traveled widely throughout Europe, Central America, and Asia. Whether it was riding a camel in Egypt or para-sailing over Mazatlán at 89, her indomitable spirit informed her days.

Her main professions included artist, aesthetic consultant, interior decorator, haute cuisine chef, fashion designer, tailor, speech writer, publicist, intrepid explorer, spiritual guide and counselor, confidante, etiquette guide, camping/ hiking expert, fisher woman, friend and sage–all in her role as wife and mother.

Price was a stake president for 13 years in Reno in the days when the general authorities came from Salt Lake City and stayed in the homes of stake presidents. She and Price were given the added assignment to create a social life for church members in Reno that would rival the seductive attractions of the casinos. Vilda brought all her talents to bear in organizing musical, social, even historical re-enactment events in the Reno area which helped unify the members and create powerful bonds.

In February 2011, she married Vernon Hill, a most kind generous and loving man; they became “round-the-world” cruise champions, traveling several times to Hawaii, Mexico, Montreal, Quebec, even through the Panama Canal and around the tip of South America. In spite of several falls and broken bones, Vilda and Vern were still camping out at Pine Valley just two years ago and just days before her death, they were enjoying the beach life in Hawaii.

Vilda is survived by Vernon Hill and her children: Gretchen Ronnow of Wayne, Nebraska; Allan (Jennifer) Of Ogden, Utah; and Mary (Kenneth) Blazzard of St. George, Utah. She is also survived by her sister, Roene Morris of Cedar City. and by 14 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services

  • Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 24, at 11 a.m. at the Sunset LDS 2nd Ward Chapel, 820 North Valley View Drive, St. George.
  • A visitation will be held Tuesday, from 9-10:30 a.m. prior to services at the chapel.
  • Interment will be in the St. George City Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221. Please visit the Metcalf Mortuary website for condolences, complete obituary and funeral listings.

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