Billy Ray Luthy, 79, of Rexburg, Idaho died Sunday, March 4, 2012, at his home in Archer. He was born January 30, 1933 to Henry Lewis Luthy and Helen Mary Wilcox. He was the second of four children.

Bill was raised in Herbert, Idaho where he worked on his family's farm and attended a one-room school house. Later, he moved to the valley in Archer, Idaho where he continued school at Madison High School and graduated in 1951.

He served in the Army during the Korean War. He was stationed in Germany as a tank driver for almost two years during the Cold War. Upon returning home from his military service, he was called as a counselor in the bishopric in Archer, Idaho. He has since served faithfully in many auxiliary and leadership positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

On March 27, 1959, he married his eternal sweetheart, Nelia Gay Smith, in the Idaho Falls Temple. They started their married life in Ririe, Idaho and later moved to Archer where he took over his father's dry farm and ranch. Together, they raised four sons on their family farm.

Bill has had a life-long love of horses and animals. He especially loved draft-horses and he owned several teams and used them to feed his cattle during the winter. Bill was well-known for his gift of training his draft-horses. He had his team trained so that they would respond to his voice commands.

Bill had many talents which consisted of oil painting, sculpting, carving, wood-burning, and sketching with pen and ink. He blessed the lives of many through sharing his beautiful artwork. He was especially gifted in western art and wildlife. He also built several miniature-sized replicas of teams and wagons which he kept displayed with much of his other artwork in the basement of his home.

Bill was very devoted to his family. He loved family gatherings where they would have traditional root beer floats and where the children loved hearing stories of his youth. He was a favorite of all of the grandchildren, nephews and nieces. Bill was a wonderful example. He was loved by all and will be deeply missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Nelia Gay Luthy of Archer; his four sons, Kevin (Kim) Luthy of St. George, Utah; Brent (Beverly) Luthy of Rexburg, Idaho; Byron (Elaine) Luthy of Rexburg, Idaho; Kerry (Kendra) Luthy of Honeyville, Utah; two brothers, Kay (Shirley) Luthy of Ririe, Idaho; Dwayne (Johnie) (Ellen) Luthy of Sugar City, Idaho; and one sister, Mardean (Dennis) Pope of Rexburg, Idaho; 21 grandchildren and 1 great grand-child.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 10th at the Archer LDS Chapel. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Flamm Funeral Home and again from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services.