In Loving Memory
1947•2026
William White Horsley passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. He is survived by his wife Susan, his five sons Chandler (Cecily Smith), Tony (Catherine Calder), Greg (Tara Bowen), Tyler, and Hunter (Natalia Riboldi), nineteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.. He is also survived by his sister Martha Claire Christensen (Fred).
Bill was born on July 27, 1947 in Logan, Utah, the youngest child of Doril White and Clarence LeGrande Horsley. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Brent LeGrande and Stephen, who died in infancy. His reunion with them has undoubtedly been joyous.
Bill grew up in Brigham City, Utah and learned the value of hard work and responsibility after his father passed away unexpectedly when Bill was thirteen. He took jobs to support himself and to help ease the burden on his widowed mother, working at the Peach City restaurant, Zundels clothing store, a local gas station, and on a road construction crew. With the money he earned, he paid for his mission to Germany and the portion of his undergraduate and medical education at the University of Utah not funded by scholarships. A strong work ethic was one of the hallmarks of his life, enabling him to provide for his family and bless countless others.
He served as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the North German Mission (1967-1969). He married his beloved wife Susan on June 5, 1970 in the Salt Lake Temple. He frequently asked his children, “do you know how much I love your mother?”, a practice he continued into their adulthood. His loyalty to and love for Susan was deep and unwavering.
After graduating from the University of Utah Medical School he pursued additional training at Johns Hopkins University in internal medicine, the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary in opthalmology, and the University of Arizona in radiology and neuroradiology. He practiced for 35 years as a deeply caring interventional and neuroradiologist in Scottsdale, Arizona, bringing light and clarity to his patients during their most vulnerable moments. He was elected by his peers to serve as Chief of Medical Staff at Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Hospital as well as President of the Maricopa County Medical Society. Known for his kind demeanor, he went beyond reading images by consistently instilling hope and easing anxieties. His compassionate approach to patients, family, and strangers left a lasting mark, usually accompanied by him stating “bless your heart” at least a few times. He found great joy in helping to alleviate pain and to improve quality of life for his patients and frequently asserted that he loved his work so much that he would do it even if he weren’t paid to do so. It was a regular occurrence at dinner time in the Horsley home for him to describe one or more of that day’s procedures, the relief that it facilitated for the patient, and his deep satisfaction at having played a role in the process.
He was legendary for his quirky exclamations of joy, excitement, and enthusiasm, which would often occur while playing games, watching sporting events, eating a good meal, and listening to particularly upbeat music that he referred to as “real toe tappers”. Almost subconsciously, his eyes would close, his feet would tap to the beat, he would begin to hum the melody, and his hands would move as though he were conducting the song himself. His joy for these simple pleasures of life could not be contained, and he just had to let it out.
Bill’s desire to lift, serve, and love others permeated virtually every aspect of his life, and he was very generous with his time, talents, and resources. It didn’t matter to him if the opportunity to help someone was small or large, he was willing. From helping a total stranger on the side of the road with car trouble, to spending countless hours counseling family, friends, and ward members with medical issues, to treating “the kids at work” (i.e. his employees) with kindness and concern, to calming a distressed child, to taking a sincere and deep interest in each of his children and grandchildren, he was a consistent source of light, hope, and charity. Even after the effects of Alzheimer’s disease made it difficult for him to communicate verbally, he was able to clearly show his love and interest in people with a smile, a wink, a thumbs up, or a squeeze of their hand. What little vocabulary he did have was predominantly used to utter simple expressions of tenderness and encouragement with phrases like “You’re a star!”, “I love you.”, and sometimes simply “You!” with a big smile and his finger pointed at the recipient. His love was profound, and he freely shared it.
He was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and His gospel and was a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he diligently and faithfully served in many capacities including missionary, bishopric counselor, Sunday School teacher, high councilor, bishop, and Scoutmaster.
His love of the outdoors shone brightly during his time as Scoutmaster. He loved to fish and camp and responded to each opportunity to do so with perhaps even more enthusiasm than the scouts. He also delighted in taking his kids and grandkids skiing, boating, shooting, and fishing, among countless other adventures, and he never showed up unprepared. He was legendary for packing an extra thousand feet of rope, a spare rod, extra goggles or socks, sunscreen, or whatever piece of gear a child might need to stay warm, safe, and happy for one more run down the mountain or one more cast off the boat. He always had candy bars stashed in what seemed like a bottomless fanny pack, stocked with whatever those around him needed to get through the day. His patience on these outings was endless—he'd untangle a snagged line, warm up a freezing kid on the chairlift, or coach a nervous first-timer through their first descent or their first day on the lake, always with the same steady good humor. The mountains, the lake, rivers and the open sky were truly his happy place, and he never seemed more himself than when he was in those settings with his family at his side.
He lived in kindness and loved through action. His love of the Savior and His gospel was exemplary, and he was an amazing father, teacher, physician, friend, and example.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, August 1 at 11:30 a.m. at the River 5th Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1570 West 11400 South, South Jordan, Utah) and will be streamed at
https://zoom.us/j/92714984451?pwd=qrz2ZwBbt9bKlPmEGy8g7PYPCNHMhC.1
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the Humanitarian Aid Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an organization whose mission is to care for those in need, just as Jesus Christ did during His mortal ministry, through extensive humanitarian efforts that provide aid and service to all of God’s children worldwide. https://give.churchofjesuschrist.org/campaigns/81334/donations/new?utm_medium=MemoriaHumanitarian
Bill was one of my favorite people in the world if you got to share an experience of scout camp road trips or a lake trip you were lucky! His laugh could shake the room when he looked you in the eye you knew he was serious but you also knew he loved you. He will be missed I am so blessed to have known one of the very best! Thanks for all you did for me Bill.
Bill was amazing in every way. Every time I saw him, he brightened my day. He had a remarkable gift for making you feel like you were a close friend and one of the most important people in the world.
I know his sons well, and they are truly the best of the best. Their character speaks volumes about the devoted father and powerful example Bill was throughout his life. I feel blessed to have known him, and I will always remember the way he made me and everyone around him feel. He is deeply missed. My love and condolences go out to Susan and the entire Horsley family.
Bill played a pivotal role in my life. The first time I met him, I felt his deep and genuine goodness. I trusted his advice and treasured the times we connected.
As a medical student in Chicago, he and Susan, who were visiting for a medical conference, kindly treated us to a very fancy meal and encouraged me despite the difficulties I was facing in medical school. I couldn’t believe how kind he was to me. He really lifted my spirits. I felt like I had a powerful advocate constantly cheering for me. He was so willing to talk with me and offer kind encouragement and advice. Then, as years passed and I practiced medicine in the same community, I would run into him at times. He was so respected and revered by other physicians. He was overflowing in kindness and people felt it around him. His smile, that seemed permanently affixed to his face, would lift me and give me hope every time I saw him. It was like running into an old friend. Bill will be long remembered by me and Emily and his influence will continue to linger as I try to emulate the way he lived.
Dr. Horsley was the most compassionate radiologist I've ever had the pleasure of working with at SMIL. His love and support of our patients and employees blessed the lives of so many in our community. He always had a kind word for every situation. The positive culture at SMIL continues today thanks to his leadership. Personally, I miss our annual tax return visits where we went through all his boxes of documents and receipts spread out on the living room floor of your home. I doubt he enjoyed it as much as I did! I'm grateful for the wisdom and advice he shared to help make me a better person. Love to you all - Carrie
Bill was among the finest human beings I've ever encountered, and I consider it a blessing to have worked with him for approximately 15 years in Scottsdale. He was a well-established leader of the practice and the broader medical community when I arrived, yet he took the time (and had the interest) to take me under his wing. During my early years in the practice he was a source of support and mentorship, and for all of my time in the practice he was an exemplar of what it means to be a committed physician. Wisdom, compassion, humility, humor... those are all traits that I witnessed him practice on a consistent basis, regardless of the stress of the day, and regardless of the behavior of others. Amazing man, remarkable legacy.
Bill, or “Horse” as his partners affectionately called him, was truly the kindest soul, greatest mentor, and caring doctor one could ever ask to work with.
He came early, stayed late, never complained, and always wore a smile. Whenever there was a practice decision to make, his first response was always “ What is the best thing to do for the patient, for the community, and the employees..”
A true leader and kind soul.
He will be deeply missed.
Bill was one of my greatest mentors when I joined SMIL in 2001. He was welcoming and kind, and he was always generous when sharing his knowledge and experience. I am a better person for having known him, and I was honored to be his partner. My condolences to his family.
What a blessing to know Bill and to have worked with him for many years! He was a selfless, confident, and consistent friend, and his sense of humor will be remembered. Heartfelt condolences to the family.
There are so many happy junior high and high school memories that pop into my mind when I see that kind face. We had so much fun together in the singing groups and involved in all the activities over the years. Always, Bill was "one of the good guys," kind, caring, respectful, and fun to be around. We're so sorry for your loss. Much love to you, Susan, and all of your family. May the Lord bless you.
Karla and Reed Beecher
One of my favorite memories of Bill was actually not work related. We were both on the stand at a church meeting for seminary students and their graduation at the end of high school. His job as a Bishop was to present the students in his ward with their seminary diplomas. We were told to only give students a handshake after handing out the diploma. After watching him hug each one of his students instead of shaking their hands, he told me “I treat each of these kids like they are my own and I’m going to give them a hug. I just can’t help it.”
I had the pleasure of working with Bill for nearly two decades at SMIL. “Horse” was an amazing role model and mentor - he taught me so much about life and radiology. He was kind, generous, helpful, funny, and always uplifting. He had such a positive influence on patients and all those he contacted. Thank you, Bill! You will certainly be missed, but you live on through your impact on so many. My sincere condolences to the family.
Good
What an amazing man has left this earth. Everything in his obituary described Brother Bill so well. One thing I will always remember is the way he called us all “kids”, no matter our age. It was just a sweet term of endearment that I’ll always appreciate.
I met Bill just 4 years ago as his physical health was declining rapidly. Though his vocabulary was severely limited he had the most beautiful twinkle in his eyes! I feel beyond blessed to have known Bill, even for just a few years. His smile and warm soul brightened the very air whether on the Pickleball court, the chapel halls or the care center where I last visited him. My deepest respect, condolences and affection for Susan and the whole Horsely family.
I have such a deep love for Bill. I met him just a few years ago when he started attending our ward. We were in the middle of cancer treatments for one of our boys and many times I arrived at church with a lot on my heart. We sat on the saw pew nearly every week and every week I’d go up and give him a big hug and he would whisper in my ear “I love you!” And I knew he did. He’ll never know how those hugs and kind words carried me through one of the hardest times of my life. My deepest condolences to Susan and the whole Horsley family.
Bill had an amazing ability to put people at ease, instantly develop trust, or diffuse tension, usually with some country boy humor. He offered kindness, charity, and compassion to everyone. I am forever grateful for his example and mentoring in my early years at SMIL. My condolences to the family. ‘Til we meet again, brother.
Susan and Family,
Our hearts and prayers are with you. Hoping you feel an increased measure of love, comfort and hope of life eternal.
The Richardson family will forever be grateful for Bishop Horsley and his BIG heart. As young parents, Chris and I continually looked to the examples of Bill and Susan as good, righteous parents to follow.
As our Bishop, we felt his genuine love for our family in every glowing smile, bear hug, and gentle interaction. He was a living example of Christ-like service. Always leading with love, as he believed in “no forced marches”. He will be deeply missed, but his attention to people will never be forgotten.
We love you Bill❤️
Bill was a light to know. He always made sure that we felt his love through his smile. We were so grateful to his wife and family for allowing us to take care of him. As he would say to us at SGD " You are amazing" and you truly were amazing Bill. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family.
I first met Bill on the first day of medical school at the University of Utah in September of 1970. I felt an immediate kinship with this gracious, intelligent, and kind man. A few months later I married my wife, Diane, and we moved into a married student ward where Bill and Sue lived. We became fast friends with both of them. Later I served with Bill as counselors in the Bishopric of that ward. This service together cemented our friendship into an eternal bond. Diane and Sue were inseparable. In 1972 after completing our first 2 years of medical school, the four of us spent 2 weeks together in Hawaii which was a highlight for us. Over the many years since our graduation from medical school in 1974 we have remained close friends even though we had only rare opportunities to be together. We have been saddened as we have watched Bill's slow declining mental course with his Alzheimer's Disease. In spite of that he remained sweet, loving, and friendly to the end. He has been an important part of our lives and I still consider him an eternal friend. I look forward to a joyous reunion with him at some future date. We love you, Bill, and we love you, Sue! God be with you, Randal and Diane.
Although we didn't see much of one another after our missions, I have great memories of Bill prior to that time. We spent many hours together in junior high and high school playing basketball and playing golf. We also had the privilege of serving together in the same mission. Bill was an outstanding individual. I wish his family peace and comfort in their loss.
I had the privilege of meeting Bill in 1978 while we were residents in radiology at the University of Arizona in Tucson. He was one of the few true friends I have ever had. We had many fun times with Bill, Susan, and the boys during the following three years. It was a sad day when we moved to Phoenix in 1981 but were very happy when they moved to Scottsdale in 1982.
After two years in Phoenix, I began considering a change in employment, and I believe that Bill was very instrumental in my being hired at SMIL. It was a joy to work with him for the next 30+ years. Bill was a man who would never betray his friends, patients, or anyone. His heart was true, and we knew we could trust him completely. He had the ability to make everyone he met his best friend, and he truly felt that way about each of us.
In 2005, I suffered severe injuries in a fall while skiing at Snowbird. Rosilene did not know who to call at SMIL to let them know I would not be able to work for a few months, so she called Bill. Bill was on his way to Salt Lake City. When his flight landed, he made a trip to LDS hospital. I was still in the emergency room and was a bit under the influence of pain meds. I was awakened at 2 AM, and Bill was standing there. He had dropped everything, including a night’s sleep, to make sure I was receiving proper care. Bill was also very encouraging as I recovered. He assured me that the “body has tremendous healing powers.” Bill was a man who you could trust your life with. We will miss him.
We consider ourselves very blessed to know Bill and his family, and we express our love and sympathies, and pray that they will find peace through the Savior, Jesus Christ.
With love, Glenn and Rosilene Cook
I remember going to your house and your Dad playing scrooge. He was very good.
Sorry for your loss.
Ann
The Brinton
I have such great and sweet memories of Brother Horsley and then my Bishop Horsley. When I first moved to the Arcadia ward , Brother Horsley and I worked at Scottsdale HealthCare ( now HonorHealth ), Osborn Campus. The very first time I met him , he was so caring . He wanted to know which practice I was joining here in Scottsdale. He gave me great reviews of the group that I was joining and that was soooo reassuring for me. Everytime I used to go to the Radiology department , I would make a special stop to see him as it used to cheer me up so much , apart from discussing the patients' radiological findings.
I remember very clearly that when Dan and I were planning for our Salt Lake Temple marriage sealing in 2014 ,he was so comforting in the chaos and telling me that my sealing to Dan would be super special ( I was just worried that I would get buried in the numerous live sealings /weddings that took place daily at the Salt Lake Temple.). He was one of the 2 witnesses to our sealing and his signature is on our marriage certificate .
He was such a noble person and he always had such kind words to encourage us . As my Bishop , meetings with him were always unhurried and super pleasant . He always gave you his full attention and was REALLY interested in all that you had to say.
I will always remember him with gratitude for just being him.
Our sincere condolences and prayers to Susan and all members of his family.
Loved him so much. He always made me feel special and upbeat. He was a legendary scout master. I didn’t know then how formative those church leaders would be as I grew up. I also loved the feeling in the Horsley home as a kid so much. As Nate Owen said so well, I’m so glad to have known a great. My life is much richer for having Bill in it.
I am honored to have known Brother Horsley and to call him a role-model in my own practice. He was a wonderful friend to my dad and leader to my brothers. I smile thinking of the bear hugs all around between Bill, Paul and Peter.
He gave me comfort when I had been involved in a car accident in another country. My shattered elbow had been repaired by the national health service in that country. I brought my radiographs home with me for Christmas several months after the accident and Bill looked at the before and after. He said admiringly, “That’s a good repair!” Which made me feel relieved and gave me more confidence in the doctors I was working with.
Love to Susan and the “kids”. Thanks for sharing Bill with us over the years. He will be missed.
A few kind words can mean a great deal to the family in the days ahead.
Sign the GuestbookLarkin uses cookies and similar technologies to keep this site running and to understand how it’s used. Nothing is loaded until you choose. Read our Privacy Policy.
Keeps the site working and remembers this choice. Stores no tracking data.
Lets us see which pages families visit so we can make the site easier to use.
Measures our ads with Google and Microsoft. We never sell your information.