Leland Roy Anderson

September 23, 1937 - April 15, 2020

Leland “Roy” Anderson 1937 - 2020 Our beloved patriarch, Leland “Roy” Anderson, passed away on April 15, 2020 at the age of 82. He lived and loved the teachings of our Savior Jesus Christ. Roy truly served as a disciple of our Redeemer. He enjoyed showing love as a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a neighbor and in every role or calling, while here on earth. Love and charity were the driving force behind all he did. This service of love was felt by anyone whose life was touched by Roy. Roy was born on September 23, 1937 in Provo, Utah. He was raised by goodly parents Richard Morse Anderson and Vivian Clara Wright. He was the third son to be born and had 7 siblings. His home was filled with loving memories with his siblings and parents. His mother was kind, loving and patient. Roy’s father was a hard worker. He had worked during the depression and knew the importance of providing for their family in any way he could. Yet, he also enjoyed teaching his sons to fish, to sing, and enjoy family life together. His siblings quite often went on double dates, dances, and school activities. Roy loved his family. It is there he learned to love, to work. and to serve. Roy loved growing up in Provo and had many dear memories and friends. He graduated from Provo High school and started college at BYU where he intended to earn a degree in electrical engineering. Yet, like his Father, he loved to work with his hands in a trade he grew to love as an electrician. He fell madly in love with a beautiful woman named Rita Ann Liddiard. She was an only child of Charles Austin Liddiard and Anna Eliza Johnson, who grew up on 11th West in the Pioneer Ward. “And it all began because these two fell in love!” Roy and Rita were very young when they started dating in the Summer of 1956. Yet in a little over a year, a wedding was the plan. Roy and Rita were married for time and all eternity on November 6, 1957, in the Salt Lake Temple. Love continued to be the key to this happy couple and the family they would begin. They bought their first home in Orem, Utah on 8th West where their first 3 children were born. Just North of this home, Dad built a beautiful brick home where the last 4 were born. Soon after, Dad would move his family to American Fork, Utah to be closer to work. Dad made time for his family always. Dad would have family home evenings that were treasured, camping trips where great memories were made, Father blessings prior to starting school were essential, temple trips were frequent to remember where the love all started. Dad loved his wife and his children. A loved quote by Henry B. Eyring is a reminder of Dad- “When you choose whether to make and keep a covenant with God, you choose whether you will leave an inheritance of HOPE to those who might follow your example.” Roy served in bishoprics in Orem, American Fork and then at the MTC in Provo, Utah. Dad was an avid scouter earning the rank of Eagle Scout. He would serve as a leader, Scoutmaster for many a boy who too, would earn the Eagle Scout. His sons and grandsons followed in his footsteps. Roy also earned the Silver Beaver award in Scouting. Dad was a Master Gardener and many would benefit from the vegetables he and Rita grew. With his wife by his side, they served over the special needs’ youth, then as temple workers in the St. George temple for one year, followed by a mission call to St. George. Roy and Rita decided to relocate to St. George, so they could be closer to the temple, Roy’s family and warmer weather. His children enjoyed spending time in St. George with their parents as love just continued to grow. “At the end of life, what really matters is not what we bought, but what we built; not what we got, but what we shared; not our competence, but our character; and not our success, but our significance. Live a life that matters. Live a life of LOVE.” Author unknown Roy is survived by his wife of 62 years, Rita; their children: Alan Liddiard (Terri), Maren Jeannine (Brett Bennett), Annalee (Bardett Fausett), Diane (Kevin Ciriako), Lisa (J. Reed Findlay), Richard Todd (Debbie), and Sheri Lyn (Jacob Benoist); 27 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren, with 5 more on the way. Roy was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Vivian; his brothers, Richard “Dickie” Wright, Billy Joe, Jeannine Bush and Edith Elaine Anderson. Roy’s siblings who are still living: Vivian Theo Anderson Miller, Michiel Morse and Kathleen Dian Anderson Moore. Due to restrictions currently in place for COVID-19, a small private viewing will be held with wife and family, on May 2, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Roy’s private graveside services will be held at East Lawn Cemetery at noon, that same day in Provo, Utah. Funeral Services at Graveside Conducting……………………………………..……Richard Anderson (son) Chorister……………………………………………Maren Bennett (daughter) Opening Hymn…………………………….………………………………..……#98 “I Need Thee Every Hour” Invocation…………………………………………….Sheri Benoist (daughter) Memories by Daughter………………………………………Annalee Fausett Memories by Daughter………………………………….………Diane Ciriako Memories by Daughter…………………………………….………Lisa Findlay Music Number (Viola) by Granddaughter......................…Tessa Day “Consider the Lilies of the Field” Life Sketch…………………...……………………………Alan Anderson (son) Music Number by Daughters…..Maren, Annalee, Diane, Lisa, Sheri ”Each Life that Touches Ours for Good” Gospel Message………………….……Michiel Anderson (Roy’s brother) Closing Song (Everyone)….…..…………#190 (Children’s Songbook) “Love is Spoken Here” Dedication of the Grave………………………..……….…Michiel Anderson To view the services please go to.....https://youtu.be/dRUbOa-ltiA