Nyal Bender

Nyal Layne Bender, age 64, peacefully returned to his Heavenly Father on October 24, 2023. Nyal was born on July 28, 1959, at the Cottonwood Maternity Ward in Murray, Utah to Russell and Colleen Bender. He was the third of seven children. Their family lived in Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and California before settling in Nephi, Utah in August 1972.
Nyal graduated from Juab High School. He was a good student and he enjoyed sports, especially football and baseball.
After High School, Nyal worked at Quick’s Drive Inn before serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to Guayaquil Ecuador, where he learned Spanish and loved the people he served there. After returning home, he attended Snow College with his best friend, Terry Stanworth. They graduated from Snow College together. Nyal then graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Science and a teaching certification.
While teaching in Vernal, Utah, he came home to Nephi for Christmas. At an evening of food and games, Nyal met Claudia Ann Rice, and the two fell in love. Nyal and Claudia were married July 28, 1985, in the Jordan River Temple. They were blessed with eleven children (seven boys and four girls). 
Nyal retired after teaching 30 years at the Vernal Middle School. He loved his students and his fellow teachers. Nyal was a resourceful, hardworking individual who loved his country.
Nyal was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings and responsibilities. He spent many years in scouting positions, influencing many youth in their temporal and spiritual growth. Nyal loved spending time with Claudia and their children performing ordinances in the Vernal Temple for their dead ancestors.
He loved spending time with his family, especially rafting and fishing the Green River, going to Lagoon, and eating at Chuck a Rama. He loved his family, Claudia’s family and all of the extended family members and friends who entered into his life. He especially loved his grandchildren, who affectionately called him “Papa”.
Nyal is survived by his wife, Claudia, and children Skyler Bender, Megan (Spencer) Orton, Joshua Bender, Justin (Lorena, engaged) Bender, Melinda (Myles, deceased) Bender, Ann (Austin) Muncey, Jacob Bender, Caleb (Juliann, engaged) Bender, Cassandra (Levi) Lewis, Marcus Bender, Braden Bender, and ten grandchildren. He is also survived by his parents, Russell M. and Colleen Bender, brothers and sister, Russell J. Bender, Ryan Bender (deceased), Diane (Kory Sellers) Bender, Daren, (Sheryl, deceased) Bender, Shawn (Rob) Bender, and Jason (Nicole) Bender.
Funeral services will be Monday, October 30, 2023 at 12:00 pm at the Nephi 1st Ward with a viewing from 10:30 to 11:45 am (200 South 100 East, Nephi, Utah).
The service will be livestreamed on the Anderson Funeral Home Facebook Page at the following link: 
https://www.facebook.com/people/Anderson-Funeral-Home/100068057016733/
(The livestream video will appear when the service starts.)