Aug. 7, 1954 – May 24, 2018
Lloyd Byron Mecham, 63, of St. George, Utah, passed away peacefully May 24, 2018, at Dixie Regional Medical Center, after a long struggle with challenging health issues.
He was born Aug. 7, 1954, in St. George. His loving parents were the late Karl G. and Lavada Bell Johansen Mecham.
He married the late Sue Southerland in the Manti, Utah temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were later divorced.
On Oct. 19, 1987, he married Patricia (Trish) Wade Turner in Las Vegas, Nevada, and gained an instant family of three children that he adored: Tanji, Tia and Brooks.
His younger years were spent in Annabella and Monroe, Utah, Las Vegas and Hawaii. He had exceptional musical talent that began at an early age. Throughout his life he had the opportunity to perform with many well known musicians and bands. He was very accomplished in many styles of music. He was a studio musician, played on many recordings and also wrote and arranged music.
He served a full time LDS mission in the California Anahiem Mission. After completing his mission he returned to his passion of music and began to play for the Osmonds and the Donnie and Marie Show.
He had been the owner of The Guitar Doctor in Orem, Utah. He and Trish owned and operated Westwind Music & Recording Studio in St. George. They performed across the western United States and Las Vegas together for many years in the band, The Touch.
Lloyd was a master luthier. He spent many hours with his son, Brooks, building, designing and repairing guitars, amps and sound equipment. He installed sound systems throughout Southern Utah.
Lloyd had an enthusiasm for cooking. He learned many cooking skills from his mother. He was a sous chef at the Frontier Casino & Hotel in Las Vegas. He cooked at their family restaurant, The Rolling (M) at The Monroe Hot Springs.
He had a brilliant mind, fun sense of humor, was an avid reader, loved planes, trivia and movies with treats.
He is survived by his wife Trish Mecham of St. George; his children Tanji (Clint) Hannig, Tia Bithell and Brooks (Amberli) Turner, all of St. George; grandchildren Teven, Caytlin, Evelyn, Cooper, Taelor and Mitchell, Thayne and Nancy, Triston, Jackson, Brennan, Hadley, Marshall, C’era, Byron and Holden; sisters Ann Geline (David) Johns of Monroe, Darlene Kay (Craig) Jacobson of Henderson, Nevada; sister-in-law Phyllis Mecham of Monroe; sister-in-law Nancy (Verl) Milne and brother-in-law Howard (Deana) Wade; and many nieces, nephews and cousins; and his dearest companions Charlie (dog) and Olive (cat).
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother David Mecham, his close aunt, Dixie Ann Whitaker, his in-laws Jim and Ida Wade and his very special dog Heidi.
The family would like to express their gratitude to all the doctors, nurses, EMTs and medical staff that have so tenderly taken care of Lloyd throughout the years. A special thanks to Dr. David and Susan Debenham and Sherrie, Dr. Kirk G. Watkins and Megan, Dr. Carlos Leon-Forero, Dr. Carl C. Van Gils and the staff of Stapley Pharmacy.
Funeral services
- Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 2, at 11 a.m., at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, Utah.
- Viewings will be held at the same location Friday, June 1, from 5-7 p.m., and Saturday, June 2, from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673-2454.
For condolences, full obituary and funeral listings please visit Spilsbury Mortuary online.