Bruce Dwane Ashton, 86, died on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at his home in Orem of causes incident to age.

He was born on June 6, 1935, to Henry Marvin Ashton and Rosa Martina Hansen, and was the youngest of their eight children. He grew up in Lehi and worked on the family farm from a young age. He suffered a life-altering injury at age 12, when a horse he was riding fell on him, crushing his ankle. A medical specialist reconstructed his ankle using a metal bolt, but from then on he walked with a distinct limp.

He played football and basketball for Lehi High School, where he graduated in 1954. He then served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Eastern States mission from 1956 to 1958.

Upon returning from his mission, he joined the U.S. Army, but only served a short time due to his injury. He graduated from Utah Technical College with a two-year tradesman degree and also trained as a law enforcement officer at Brigham Young University.

Bruce met Helen Wood, then a business education instructor at Utah Technical College, on a blind date set up by a mutual acquaintance. They were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on June 5, 1959.

They purchased their first home on east Center Street in Orem. Bruce worked for a short time for Utah County before joining the Orem Police Department in 1961. He later became a security officer at Brigham Young University and served there for three years, then was hired as the manager of Deseret Towers on-campus and then as manager of married student housing at BYU, where he finished his career.

Horses and rodeo were his passion. He spent many happy hours as a member and president of the Orem Riding Club. He rode in the foothills below Mount Timpanogos, and practiced team roping, calf roping and other rodeo events with his family and friends. Summers were spent camping with family and participating in rodeo competitions around the state. He won several state championships in amateur rodeo events over the years.

Bruce and Helen served several missions for the Church: in Nauvoo, Illinois, to prepare for the LDS temple dedication there; Martin's Cove, Wyoming, assisting youth groups re-enacting pioneer treks; and Cove Fort, Utah. He also served twice as bishop in a BYU student ward, and also as a bishop in his home ward, as well as serving on the high council several times. The couple also served for several years as temple workers in the Mount Timpanogos Temple.

He and Helen were members of the Squaw Peak Good Sam group for many years, traveling with friends around the West in their motorhome. They enjoyed good times with their six children and their grandchildren on holidays and during family dinners.

He is survived by his wife; his children Carrie (Brad) Moore, Wendy (Tom) Mason, Quin (Gay) Ashton, Tami (Brent) Ault and Wade (Ann) Ashton. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Traci Ashton; his parents and seven siblings.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, April 13, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 East 800 North in Orem. The family will hold a private graveside service