Parley Boyd Hales, 85, passed away on February 8, 2023 at his home in Mapleton, UT. He was preceded in death by his parents and two of his brothers – Blaine and Raymon Hales. Boyd is survived by his wife, Lyona, and 5 children – Lisa (Scott) Budge, Reid (Julie) Hales, Michelle (Bill) Dolinar, Marianne Hales and Betsy (Garrett) Rose. Boyd and Lyona have 17 beautiful grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
Boyd was born September 2, 1937 to Reid and Zora Hales. Boyd grew up on a small farm. He instilled this love of gardening in all of his children. Boyd went to Utah State University (USU) for two years after high school and studied Electrical Engineering. In 1957, he was called to serve a three-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day 
Saints in the Southern Far East Mission. About 20 years later, Boyd would serve as a mission president in Taiwan. After retirement, he and Lyona would return again to teach English at Beijing University.
After his mission, Boyd transferred to Brigham Young University (BYU), pursuing a degree in business and banking. While going to school after his mission, he enlisted in the army in the National Guard/Reserve in Utah, California and Illinois.
Boyd’s “best find” was Lyona Cox. Lyona had a beautiful voice and he was a talented pianist. One Sunday, Lyona was visiting Boyd and joined the choir practice that Boyd accompanied. The choir director wanted her to sing a
solo so Boyd was instructed to bring her each week to practice. Boyd always said he fell in love with Lyona because he had to drive her weekly to church choir. They were married in 1963 before heading to California for Boyd to get an MBA from Stanford.
After graduating from Stanford, Boyd accepted many banking jobs across the United States – Chicago, IL (Northern Trust Company), Detroit, MI (Detroit Bank and Trust), Phoenix, AZ (Valley National Bank), and Provo, UT (Zion’s National Bank). Moving to Utah allowed him to move his family back to his hometown of Mapleton where they built a home on the old farm.
Boyd loved going to and working at the temple. He worked 10 years at the Provo Temple and 3 years at the Payson Temple. Boyd had many hobbies – wood turning, biking, reading, mowing the lawn, and doing errands. He longed to learn about history and the cultures of people he visited. Many of his books reflect this longing.
Boyd made the world a better place and raised a family that will forever be grateful for his love and support. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 17, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at 475 N 1600 W Mapleton with a viewing at 9:45 a.m. prior to the service. An additional viewing will be held the evening prior, February 16, 2023, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at 475 N 1600 W Mapleton.
3 Condolences for Parley Boyd Hales
Condolences(3)
Gordon Gibb says
February 14, 2023 at 6:49 pmI loved President Hales. I was a new member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when called as a missionary in the Taiwan Kaohsiung mission. President and Sister Hales were like loving parents as well as inspired leaders. President, you made an enormous impact on a fatherless new member of the Church. Rest in the peace you so faithfully deserve.
Ron Harker says
February 16, 2023 at 10:42 pmI also served under President Hales from 1978-1980 as a green missionary in Taiwan. What a loving, faithful father and family; to leave a career and travel around the world to serve our Father in Heaven. A great example to so many young Elders and Sisters. We love you Elder and Sister Hales and know there are many thousands who have been blessed as a result of your service. God bless your family during this time of mourning and celebration of a life well lived.
Ronald Payne says
February 17, 2023 at 3:25 pmMy Memories of Elder Boyd Hales
I arrived in Taiwan in June of 1958. I was assigned Elder Hales to be my Sr. Companion. We all lived in the Taiwan mission home.
We all had English-made bicycles that we purchased in Hong Kong as the Taiwanese bikes were heavy and bulky.
A few days after my arrival, we were both riding on the busy road. Elder Hales was a few feet ahead of me.
Suddenly a truck enters from the right, and the next thing I see is Elder Hales bike being run over by the truck. I was shocked as I assumed my companion was also under the truck. A moment of panic, as I spoke no Mandarin, what should I do next?
Then my beloved Senior Companion walked around the front of the truck. He had no injuries.
To me this was a blessing. My impression at the time was he was lifted off his bike by the Spirit to protect him. I think all the missionaries are protected by the same Spirit today.
We returned to the mission home, walking, as he carried his damaged bike.
I remember on the same evening, Elder Hales spotted a big poisonous spider high on the wall near his bed. He climbed up to swat the spider, only to have the spider jump and run down the front of his body. No bites, just laughs. We all began to search for the spider but could not find it. I don’t think any of us slept well that night.
Always enjoyed seeing my first companion over the years at our missionary reunion.