Guy Wesley Cash Jr.

Guy Wesley Cash Jr. age 94, passed away on January 11, 2025 in his home in St. George, Utah, surrounded by his Eternal Companion, Mary Ellen Willey Cash and their children. He was just 6 days shy of his 95th birthday.

Guy was born on January 17, 1930, in Grangeville, Idaho, at his grandmother's home. He was the son of Guy Wesley Cash, Sr. and Violet Trieste Detton Cash. From the very beginning, his life was filled with love. Shortly after he was born, his parents took a job at the Gouge Eye Ridge Ranch, where he took his first horseback ride on his mother’s lap before his first birthday.

His childhood in White Bird, Idaho, was rich with memories of helping his parents run their café, where he learned the values of hard work, service, and the joy of connecting with others.

Guy grew up with his brother Jack in the back of a car riding from rodeo to r odeo where his father, Guy Sr., competed. A treasured memory was in 1939 when his father won the North American Saddle Bronc Championship at the Calgary Stampede. Young Guy celebrated by tossing his little cowboy hat into the arena.

He attended a one room schoolhouse in White Bird Idaho from first to sixth grades. He started a year early so they had enough kids to keep the school open. He moved to Grangeville, Idaho his Sophomore year, where he lived above a bakery and worked before going to School each day.

Guy graduated from Grangeville High School in 1947 and then spent a year at the University of Idaho. He left U of Idaho in the winter of 1948 when his fraternity house burned to the ground. The Frat Boys escaped by tying bedsheets together and climbing out the second story window. During this time, he worked at JC Penney in Lewiston, Idaho, where he would reunite with the love of his life, Mary Ellen Willey. On one of their first dates, Guy attended a meeting with missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that Mary Ellen had scheduled for herself. This date marked the beginning of their love story and a shared commitment to their faith. They were married on Christmas Day, December 25, 1949 in Grangeville, Idaho. Together they built a life rooted in faith, family, and love.

Guy was a man of vision and had a strong entrepreneurial spirit. He owned the 21st Street Food Land Grocery Store in Lewiston, Idaho, and then went on to found Sterling Wholesale Food Company in Pocatello, Idaho. They moved the company to Salt Lake City, Utah, where it was eventually bought out by Sysco Foods.

Later, Guy and Mary Ellen opened Cash's Western Auto in Lehi, Utah. Where they made many friends. They loved providing a fun shopping experience for the community. After selling the hardware store, he began a successful career in real estate. It was during his real estate endeavors that Guy also served as mayor of Lehi, Utah.

In retirement, Guy and Mary Ellen settled in St. George, Utah, where they spent 25 joyful years together - years spent making friends, hosting family and strengthening their love for one another. 

Service was at the heart of Guy’s life. He served in the church faithfully and held numerous callings, including bishop of the Lehi 6th Ward as well as a member of the St. George Utah Temple Presidency. Along with Mary Ellen, Guy served two full-time missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one in Louisville, Kentucky, and another at the Family History Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Guy found much joy serving his Father in Heaven and his fellow man.

Guy’s legacy is one of kindness, service, and unconditional love. This is evident in the lives he impacted for good throughout his life. He knew no stranger and had a remarkable ability to make everyone feel seen and valued. An often referenced saying of Guy’s was: “The least I could do is be kind.” We, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are better because of the example he set. If there was anything you could do to honor Guy, it would be to help those whose hands hang low and never pass up an opportunity to be kind.

Guy is preceded in death by his parents, Guy Wesley Cash, Sr. and Violet Trieste Detton Cash, his brother Jack Cash and sister Trieste Anderson. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Ellen Willey Cash and his seven children and their spouses: Penny (Ned) Cutler, Nick (Jolene) Cash, John (Debbie) Cash, Joel (Lynette) Cash, Lori (Brett) Kassing, Bob (Judy) Cash, Tim (Tiffany) Cash. He is also loved and remembered by his 25 grandchildren and 80 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 1:00 pm at the Green Valley 5th Ward, located at 100 North Valley View Dr. St. George, Utah. A viewing will be from 6:00 - 8:00 pm on Friday, January 17, 2025 at the same location, as well as from 12:00-12:45pm prior to the funeral services.

Interment will be held in Grangeville, Idaho, at the Prairie View Cemetery on February 1, 2025 at 11:11am Pacific Time.

Special thanks for the many years of loving care by Dr. Tom Callahan and the Callahan clinic. Thanks also for the loving care of the staff of Pathway Hospice Care, especially Kaylie, Rebekah, Alison and Lindy. We love you!

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