William LeRoy Houchen, 77, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones, on Friday, September 27, 2024, at the Cedar City hospital due to complication with pneumonia. LeRoy was born on February 24, 1947, to Charles LeRoy Houchen and Erma Murphy Cloward in Cedar City, UT. He attended Cedar High School and shortly after graduating, he was drafted into the Army. During his time in the Army, they found and removed a tumor in his knee and he ended up spending most of his time stateside in Colorado, training recruits on how to operate M60 tanks.
He married Delores Loya Torres on September 3, 1971, and they were sealed in the St. George, UT temple. LeRoy started working for the water department and then decided he wanted to go into Law Enforcement. He worked for the Cedar City Police Department for over 35 years. He started as a patrol officer but worked most of his career as a Detective and Drug Task Force Agent. He was also the local Medical Examiner for many years. He was known for solving many cases, one in particular, was the Playhouse murders where he was recognized nationally for his work in the case. During his career, he attended and graduated the FBI academy.
During his career in Law Enforcement, he was also an active member of the Iron County Search & Rescue, where he learned many skills. He was a diver, and also learned ropes rescue. He made many dives and assisted in many ropes rescue incidences. One incident he repelled off the Cedar Breaks look-out area to rescue a woman who had slipped on ice and fell many feet below.
After a short retirement, he went back to the Cedar City Police Department as the Crime Scene and Evidence Technician for many years, working over 40 years in law enforcement. LeRoy continued to be involved with the Iron County Search and Rescue serving Iron County for many years.
LeRoy had many hobbies, woodworking, rock hunting, prospecting and camping with his family. He was very smart and could fix just about anything.
LeRoy is preceded in death by his parents, Charles (Roy) and Erma Houchen; brother, Charles Houchen; sister, Sharon Boyter; son, Royce Houchen. He is survived by his wife, Delores; sister, Sheila Hunter; children, Nathan (Liz); Daniel (Shannel) and Aaron (Shelby); 8 grandkids and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services to be held on Friday, October 4, 2024 at 11:00am at the Cedar North Stake 95 N 2125 W Cedar City, UT. Friends and family may pay their respects Thursday, October 3, 2024 at Cedar Valley Funeral located at 2086 N Main St. From 6:00 pm-8:00pm and Friday, October 4, 2024 from 9:00am-10:30am at the Cedar North Stake 95 N 2125 W Cedar City, UT. Interment will be at the Cedar City Cemetery, under the direction of the Cedar Valley Funerals, 2086 N Main St, Cedar City, UT.
Online condolences can be sent to his memorial page at www.cedarvalleyfuneral.com