Billy Lee Price

Billy Lee Price passed away peacefully surrounded by family on February 17, 2025 at the age of 88. He was born on May 13, 1936, to Kenneth Johnson and Edna Hodges Price. 

He spent a lot of his youth between Salt Lake City, living with his parents, his brother Kay and sister Donna or helping on his grandparent’s farm in Laketown, Utah. He loved the farm life and all it entailed, except getting up early to milk the cows. His passion grew and he bought his farm when he was just 14. That was his favorite place to be. Lee attended school for a few years in Laketown and played basketball when their team won the state championship. For his high school years, he went to West High in Salt Lake, where he excelled in sports and was the senior class 2nd vice president. After graduating he attended Utah State University where he played football tight end. He returned to Salt Lake to marry his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Turner, in the Salt Lake Temple on January 20, 1956. Lee and Beth moved to a small home up Laketown Canyon, where they lasted one summer without water, electricity or indoor plumbing, then moved back to the modern conveniences of Salt Lake City. 

The couple was blessed with three children. Lee followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Salt Lake City Police Department, where, after a fulfilling career with various assignments, he retired after 30 years as a Detective Sergeant on September 30, 1988. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Weber State College all while working at the PD, several part-time jobs and raising a family. Lee dabbled in Café ownership, the stock market, and selling real estate with Wardley Reality. 

Lee loved all things outdoors, and instilled that love in his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Generations surrounded Lee and Beth at various campgrounds throughout the Uinta’s, Bear Lake, and Yellowstone. Lee captained his metal fishing boat, with each seat filled with giggling grandkids ready to catch the biggest fish in the lake. He shared his favorite hunting cave and Snickers bars with his kids and grandkids on cold October days watching for deer. 

Lee spent his last 60 years in Bountiful. He had a green thumb and was proud of his immaculate yard, where family BBQs were held throughout the summers. Lee had many friends, and their clan continued throughout his entire life. 

He is survived by his son, Craig (Cindy) Price, and daughters, Sue (Bob) Watson and Cheryl (Jim) Keith, 9 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. We are sad to have our dad, grandpa, and grandpa great depart this life for the next, but the reunion in heaven with his sweet wife Beth, his parents, grandparents and siblings would have been an amazing site to behold.

A private family graveside service was held at the Laketown Cemetery on February 22, 2025.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the Barton Creek Assisted Living facility for their love and kindness. Dad adopted the entire staff, so our family has grown. Also, thanks to Atlas Hospice for making dad’s last few days more comfortable.