The following obituaries and death notices appeared in the September 16, 2026 edition of the Star Valley Independent.
Billy Hoopes
Billy Joe Hoopes, age 46, passed away on September 9, 2026, surrounded by his family who loved him so deeply. He was born on June 7, 1980, in Afton, Wyoming.
Billy was a quiet man who never needed a lot of words to let people know he cared. His love could be seen in the way he worked hard for his family, the pride he had in his children, and the time he spent with the people who mattered most to him. He brought more love and joy into this world than he probably ever realized.
When Billy was just 10 years old, he became very sick with an unusual case of spinal meningitis and nearly lost his life. He pulled through, giving his family 36 more precious years with him—years filled with growing up, falling in love, raising a family, working hard, and making memories that are now more priceless than ever.
Billy met and fell in love with his beautiful wife, Shanie. Together, they welcomed their son, Troy, who returned to his Heavenly home at birth, and their four beautiful daughters, Abby, Chelsea, Gracie, and Kortney. His family was his world, and everything he did was for them. Billy was also blessed with two sons-in-law, Avery and Jesse, and a grandson, Charlie, whom he absolutely adored. Charlie brought a special kind of happiness into Billy’s life, and being his grandpa was a role Billy treasured deeply.
Billy owned Elite Construction and took pride in building beautiful homes throughout the valley. When construction slowed down, he went to work in the oil and gas fields. The work helped him provide for his family, but it also meant spending long stretches away from home. He often talked about how hard it was to miss some of the important moments in his family’s lives. Over the many years Billy worked in the oil and gas fields the men beside him became more than coworkers. They became his family away from home. They shared long days, hard work, laughter, stories, and the kind of friendship that comes from standing beside one another through it all.
When Billy was home, he treasured the time he had with his family. He loved watching his daughters do the things that made them happy, cheering them on at games, watching movies together, and simply being there. He knew each of his daughters was different, and he was proud to watch each of them grow in her own way. Billy was especially grateful that he had the opportunity to walk his two oldest daughters down the aisle on their wedding days. Those were proud and beautiful moments that will forever remain close to their hearts.
Billy loved camping, fishing, hunting, being in the mountains, and spending time near the water with his wife, children, grandson, siblings, and mother. Some of his best memories were made during quiet morning fishing trips with his brothers. Catching fish made for a good day, but being together on the boat was what truly mattered.
Billy is survived by his loving wife, Shanie; his daughters and sons-in-law, Abby (Avery Ashbaugh), Chelsea (Jesse Gibson), Gracie, and Kortney; his beloved grandson, Charlie; his mother, Pam Tolman (Chet); his father, David Hoopes (Debbie); his brothers, Willy (Ocie) and Terren (Kayla); his sisters, Kestina Noel (Heath) and Simantha Stewart; and the many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends he loved so much.
He was preceded in death by his son, Troy; his stepfather, Robert Tolman; and his grandparents, Darrell and Bonnie Nebeker and Willard and Jean Hoopes.
It is difficult to imagine this family without Billy in it. He will be missed in the everyday moments—in a quiet morning on the water, around a campfire, during a family movie, at a ball game, while Charlie is growing and discovering the world, or whenever someone looks at a beautiful home Billy helped build. Billy’s life was far too short, but it was a life that mattered. He worked hard, loved deeply, and gave his family memories they will carry with them always. Though they would give anything for more time, they are forever grateful for every year, every laugh, every fishing trip, every hug, and every ordinary day they were blessed to have with him. Billy was deeply loved, and he always will be.
In Lieu of flowers, consider donating to the memorial fund at Bank of Star Valley.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, September 19, from 10-11 a.m. at Schwab Funeral Chapel in Thayne.
Sue (Hurd)Hopkins
Funeral Services for DeAnna Sue (Hurd) Hopkins will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at Schwab Mortuary.
A Visitation with the family will begin at 10 a.m. prior to the service.
Internment will be at the Auburn Cemetery at 12 Noon.
Larry Call
Larry Anson Call slipped peacefully from this life on August 23, 2026, at the age of 92. He was born April 4, 1934, the first child of Reuel Thomas Call and Verna Anson Call. He was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a vat at the Afton creamery. He always loved attending church, even though his parents were not regular attenders, and he often went alone or with friends. Many good leaders encouraged him, and after several years of college, Larry served a mission in the Eastern States Mission, returning home to marry his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Winters, in January 1957. He enjoyed sharing that their first apartment was owned by a couple named Fun, and their second by a couple named Joy. So they lived with fun and joy in Laramie. Larry and Kathy graduated together from the University of Wyoming in 1959 and eventually welcomed five children into their family.
With a degree in mechanical engineering, Larry worked for his father’s oil company, which became Maverik, then taught seminary in Beaver, Orem, and Heber City, Utah. He eventually returned to work at Maverik, first in Great Falls, Montana, where he spent many hours flying the company airplane for work (and church) responsibilities, and then in his home town of Afton. There, he enjoyed working, traveling, and associating with many wonderful employees as Maverik’s president, then vice-president in charge of operations. After retiring, he served in various community groups and committees.
Larry relished learning, reading in his spare time and learning Spanish as an adult. He especially loved studying the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, becoming a respected gospel scholar as he served in leadership positions through the years. He served in a stake presidency in Montana, as a bishop and stake president in Afton, as a mission leader with Kathy in Spokane, Washington, as a country coordinator with Kathy for Latter-day Saint Charities in Zimbabwe, and as a temple sealer in Idaho Falls and a sealer coordinator in Afton. Larry was ordained a patriarch in 1989 and gave over a thousand patriarchal blessings, serving until he was no longer physically able. He loved the Lord, he loved the Lord’s Church, and he loved the people he served and who served with him.
Larry enjoyed music, played the trumpet throughout high school and into college, learned to play banjo later in life, and entertained his children and grandchildren with his harmonica and humorous songs. He had a beautiful tenor voice and sang in many community and church events. He particularly appreciated having a leading role in the Utah Valley Opera Association’s production of “Carmen.” He loved sports, playing basketball and football in high school and playing baseball on a community team. He liked dancing to big band music at community and church dances, and he loved hiking the mountains of Star Valley.
Larry cherished his family. He devoted a great deal of time to serving his children but was particularly devoted to serving his wife, helping about the house and doing the dishes even after it became difficult for him to stand because of an ankle injury. He spent many hours in family history work, publishing a biography of his grandfather, Thomas John Call, and publishing two large resource volumes about his and Kathy’s heritage and posterity. He loved to tell stories about his forebearers, he loved to talk about his children, and he was so entertaining that people loved to listen.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents and his son-in-law, Alan Walker. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen; his brothers, Val and William, and his sister, Tomie Loy; his children, Teresa Walker, Brad (and Teresa) Call, Jolyn (and Stephen) Schraedel, Jeff (and Rebecca) Call, Mary (and Sheldon) Herbert, and daughter-in-law, Dianne Call; 30 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.
His family is grateful to the many people who helped care for Larry in his last years while he was adding to his faith patience, becoming willing to submit to all things, and hoping to endure all things. Special thanks go to the staff at the Star Valley Care Center and the Spring Gardens Assisted Living Center in Lindon, Utah. We find joy in knowing Larry has moved on to a wonderful new phase of his progression with the promise of a glorious resurrection through his Savior, Jesus Christ. He will be sorely missed, but his example of faith and testimony and his love of people will bless the lives of many for years to come.
There will be a funeral held on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 12:00 noon with a viewing prior to the services from 10:00 am to 11:45 am in the Afton Tabernacle. There will also be a viewing the night before on Friday, August, 28, 2026 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Schwab Mortuary.
Interment will be in the Afton Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please donate to Latter-Day Saint Charities, that would be wonderful.
Jay Frome
Jay N. Frome, 95, of Placentia, California, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2026 at his sons home in Parker, Texas. We are heartbroken, but we know he lived a full and meaningful life, and we are grateful for every year we had with him.
Jay was born on June 9, 1931, in Afton, Wyoming, to George Frederick Frome and Glena Nield Frome. He grew up in Star Valley, a beautiful part of the world that never really left him. It’s where he learned to work hard, love the outdoors, and look out for the people around him. He was preceded in death by his sister, Connie Merritt, who he loved dearly. Jay attended Star Valley High School, class of 1949, and went on to graduate from Utah State University. Growing up surrounded by the mountains and streams he loved, Jay spent many hours outdoors fishing, and he loved telling the family stories from those younger days in Wyoming, especially about getting stopped by the game warden for fishing with minnows.
When the Korean War came, Jay stepped up. He served first in the Wyoming National Guard and then on active duty in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. This is where he met and married our mother, Wanda Francis Guthrie. He was proud of his service, in that quiet way he had about most things.
After the Army, Jay built a career in retail management at Sav-on Drugs. Known for his quiet, soft-spoken manner, he earned the respect from those who worked alongside him. His faith as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was at the center of everything. It guided how he treated people, how he raised his kids, and how he made his way through life. He attended church regularly until his health prevented him from going.
Jay was married first to Wanda Guthrie Frome, and later to Patricia Frome. Wanda and he had six children together. They ultimately divorced, and Jay remarried Patricia, a union that lasted almost 50 years.
More than anything, Jay loved his kids. He is survived by Terry Frome, Valerie Jorgensen, Robert Frome, and Delain Frome. He was preceded in death by his sons Cliff Frome and David Frome. Losing them was the hardest thing he ever went through. He was also blessed with 17 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
If you were looking for Jay on any given day, you’d probably find him fishing or in his shop working on a piece of wood. He took special pride in his woodworking. With steady hands he crafted toy chests, benches, and small cabinets, often engraving them with the animal designs he loved. These pieces are treasured by the family and will be passed down to future generations. He was a devoted animal lover, sharing his home with a succession of small dogs who brought him great joy.
Jay served his country, took care of his family, and lived what he believed. We miss him more than we can say, and we’re better people because of him.
A memorial service will be held on September 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in Afton, Wyoming. Jay will be buried in Afton Cemetery alongside many family members.
“The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.”
We love you, Dad. Always will.
