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Walter Glenn Ray
10/4/1937 ~ 10/3/2026
Walter Glenn Ray passed away peacefully in Nephi, Utah, at 2 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2026, one day shy of his 89th birthday.
He was born on October 4, 1937, in McNary, Arizona, to Walter Glenn Brown and Mary Smith Peterson. The family relationship dissolved a few later. When Glenn was 10, his mother married Waldo Ray, who became the father Glenn had been waiting for.
Glenn spent most of his youth in the Snowflake, Arizona, area. At 18, he joined the Air Force. While stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, he met the sweetest girl of his life, Ruth Ann Philips. They soon married and spent the next 22 years traveling together from Ohio to Morocco, England, Arizona, Korea, and California, where Glenn retired after 22 years of service.
After retiring from the Air Force, Glenn moved to Bakersfield, California, where he worked side by side with his oldest son, Walt. He made Bakersfield his home for 40 years. Five years ago, he moved to Laurel Groves Assisted Living in Nephi, Utah. There he found new friendships after years spent caring for Ruth and the isolation of the COVID pandemic.
Glenn was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When he met Ruth, she was drawn to the idea of an eternal family. Glenn baptized her a few months after they married. Over the years, he served as a Scoutmaster, branch president, bishop three times, ward mission leader, high councilman and many other church callings.
Glenn was involved with service organizations, such as the Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club, serving one year as its president. He also served on the boards of NAPD, KALC, and CALM.
He was preceded in death by his sweetheart, Ruth; his son Walter G. Ray II; his son-in-law Craig C. West; his grandsons Ryan West and Ian Ray; his parents Waldo and Mary Ray; and his sisters Joan Washburn, Barbara Green, and Margaret Clawson.
He is survived by his brothers Lynn (Doreen) Ray and Waldo (Becky) Ray; his children Teresa West, Debra (Alan) Gull, Matthew Ray, James (Kathy) Ray, Marianne (Jordan) Clark, daughter-in-law Robin Ray and Rick (Gayle) Dickenson; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.
The family expresses deep appreciation to the staff of Laurel Groves for the countless hours they spent caring for Dad in his final years. You will not be forgotten.
There will be a viewing at the Nephi Mortuary on Saturday, October 10th, at 6-8 PM. 94 West 300 North, Nephi, Utah.
Please come share our celebration of Glenn’s life.
Ned Martin Stephensen\
7/2/1959 ~ 3/3/2026
Ned Martin Stephensen, 67, passed away on October 3, 2026, in Levan, Utah.
Ned was born on July 2, 1959, in Nephi, Utah, to Meril and Myrtis Stephensen. He married Marlene on April 18, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ned worked for Payson City for nearly 20 years. Prior to that, he worked in a variety of construction trades throughout his life. He was a hardworking man who took pride in what he did, whether he was at work, working on a vehicle, or helping someone he cared about.
Anyone who knew Ned knew how much he loved his trucks. He took great pride in making sure they were always looking perfect and, most importantly, clean. He loved anything with a motor—especially if it could go fast. He enjoyed working on derby cars and going to demolition derbies, drag races, rodeos, and just about anything else that involved motors, speed, and a little excitement.
Some of Ned's favorite times were spent outdoors with the people he loved. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and would take every opportunity he could to make a trip to Oklahoma to hunt with his kids. He also loved going on side-by-side rides with his family, friends, and his wife, Mars. Whether it was a hunting trip, a ride, a race, or simply spending time together, Ned was happiest when he was surrounded by the people he loved.
Ned had the biggest heart and deeply loved his family and friends. He was known for his positive attitude, quick wit, and ability to make people laugh. Even during the hardest times, Ned was always laughing, joking, and finding a way to bring a smile to the people around him. His humor, kindness, and love for life will be deeply missed by everyone lucky enough to know him.
Ned is survived by his wife, Marlene Stephensen; his children, April (Sonny) Swearingen, Karli (Benny) Tatum of Oklahoma, and Tayler (McKenzie) Stephensen of Nephi; his grandchildren, Kadyn (Heather) Wilbur, Ryan (Taylor) Pulver, Dylan, Jaidyn, and Paityn; and his great-grandchildren, Dallas and Hosslie. He is also survived by his bonus children, Heather (Ryan) Swasey Arthur and her children, Aiden and Asher; Holly (Kelly) Swasey and their daughter, Maevie; Michael Swasey; and Samuel (Kelsey) Swasey.
He is also survived by his siblings, Jerry (Cindy) Stephensen, Carolyn (Mike) Royce, Marilyn (Jerry) Mangelson of Levan, Laree (Bart) Wankier, and Don (Karen) Stephensen of Nephi.
Ned was preceded in death by his parents, Meril and Myrtis Stephensen; his niece, Teresa Stephensen Draper; his nephew, Gordon Jenkins; and his great-nephew, Dallin Mangelson.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Utah Valley Hospital and Central Valley Medical Center for the care and compassion they showed Ned and his family.
A viewing will be held Friday, October 9, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 10, at 11:00 a.m. at the Nephi Stake Center, with a viewing prior to the service from 9:30–10:45 a.m.
Ned leaves behind countless memories, plenty of stories, and a whole lot of laughter. His big heart, quick wit, and unmistakable laugh will live on through the family and friends who loved him.
Gwen Cowan
6/291929 ~ 9/29/2026
Gwen Shepherd Cowan danced into the arms of her beloved husband Bill on the morning of September 29, 2026, at the age of 97. After 15 years apart, they are finally dancing together again.
Gwen was born June 29, 1929, in Levan, Utah--the greatest little town in America--to John D. and Gertrude S. Shepherd. She graduated from Juab High School in 1947 and was the middle child of eight--the glue that held them all together. Fiercely loyal and endlessly proud of every one of them.
She married the love of her life, William “Bill” Cowan, on August 7, 1947, later solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple. They raised three children--Glen, Tony, and Peggy--and built a life across Fillmore, Dugway, and settling in Nephi. Gwen was very proud of all her family’s military service. She was fiercely patriotic, and proud of her own work in the military kitchen at Dugway.
She learned her cooking from her mother in Levan and became famous for her pies at Cowan’s Cafe on Main Street in Nephi, where she and Bill also ran Bill’s Chevron. She was an incredible cook, everyone loved her haystacks, applesauce cookies, Kentucky chili, creamed corn, potato salad and all her delicious cakes. She made everything with the special ingredient – Love.
Gwen loved to play dominoes and pinochle, and she loved bowling with her golden bowling ball. She was an avid crafter, and she came from the generation that fixed things before throwing them away; she’d try anything to mend something before letting it go.
She was a proud member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and she loved being a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, where she treasured the friendships she found there.
She loved her kids and her grandchildren, and was a big supporter of anything they were involved in. She was the center hub of her family, the one who made sure everyone was taken care of.
She is preceded in death by her sweetheart, Bill Cowan; her mother and father; her siblings Gerald (Rhea) Shepherd, Rayola (Jack) Thorn, John (Louise) Shepherd, Willis (Joyce) Shepherd, Joann (Don) Adams, Margene Miller, and Roger Shepherd; a great-grandson, Cade C. Smith; and sisters-in-law Marge (Raymond) Peterson, and Bonnie (Wendell) Olson. Now she’s joining them all--the gang is back together at the Shepherd family reunion.
She is survived by her sons, Glen E. Cowan; Tony (Melanie) Cowan; daughter Peggy (Alex) Johnson; brother-in-law David Miller; 13 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great- grandchildren.
Although she was very proud of her family, we are even more proud and grateful to have had her be our mother and grandma. Save a spot on the porch for us, we love you toots!
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