William Thomas Hyde

William Thomas Hyde passed away peacefully on July 22, 2025, at the age of 91 in San Antonio, Texas, where he resided with his daughter, Dianne.

William "Bill" was born on September 18, 1933, in Logan, Utah, to Willard Parry and Sara Robbins Hyde. During his youth, the family moved to Springville, Utah, where he graduated from Springville High School in 1950. Shortly after high school, Bill joined the United States Air Force and served during the Korean conflict from July 16, 1953, to July 15, 1957. Following his military service, he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Eastern States Mission from 1958 to 1960.

On August 14, 1961, Bill married his sweetheart, Margaret Lucille Kohler, in the Salt Lake City Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Over their nearly 55 years of marriage, they were blessed with three children: Alan (Kathy) Hyde, Dianne (David) Howard, and Scott (Audrey) Hyde. They also welcomed 13 grandchildren, who brought them great joy.

Bill earned a degree in biology from Brigham Young University, which sparked a lifelong love of botany. After graduation, he began a long and dedicated career with the United States Department of Agriculture as an inspector for the Plant and Animal Health Inspection Service. He was first stationed in El Paso, Texas, and later transferred to the Port of Entry at San Luis, Arizona, where he served as Inspector in Charge. When his position transitioned to the Department of Homeland Security, he continued his service until retiring in 2004, completing 40 years of federal service. His children remember his steadfast dedication to providing both the financial and spiritual support they needed growing up.

Bill and Margaret were devoted members of their church and served faithfully in numerous callings throughout their lives. In his later years, Bill became well known to many children as “Santa Claus,” a role he cherished, complete with his signature full beard. He even wrote an essay, Perceptions of a Beard, reflecting on the personal growth and connections that role brought him.

A man of many interests, Bill loved Western movies and music—especially John Wayne films and the songs of Marty Robbins. He was an avid reader of Louis L’Amour and Zane Grey novels. Sharing in his grandchildren’s interests, he read the Harry Potter series alongside them, compiling lists of vocabulary words, life lessons, and reflections he hoped would benefit them.

At the request of his children, Bill wrote a history of his life, a project he continually updated and never considered complete. His goal was to inspire his children and grandchildren to live good lives, to remember they are never alone, and to come unto Christ. His youngest son, Scott, is now working to collect and organize this history for publication for future generations.

Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Margaret; his son, Alan; and his siblings, Charles Hyde, SusAnn McKee, and Nanette Clark. He is survived by Alan’s wife, Kathy, and their three children: Sara, Ashton, and Bennett; his daughter Dianne and her husband David Howard, and their three children: Talia, Lauren, and Nicholas; and his youngest son, Scott, and his wife Audrey, and their seven children: Leila, Naleo, Elena, Emma, Joey, Seamus, and Clara.

A funeral will be held in Midway, Utah, at the Legacy Ward (250 East 200 South) on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with a viewing preceding the service from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the Midway City Cemetery, 600 West 500 South, Midway, Utah. Condolences may be shared online at www.probstfamilyfunerals.com.