Tony Purcell

PLEASE NOTE: This obituary is being placed on the Hullinger Mortuary website as a courtesy to the family. The Hullinger Mortuary is not handling any part of this service.

Antone "Tony," Everett Purcell, passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Vernal, Utah, due to complications of renal failure. 

He was 74 years old.Tony was born on July 12, 1951, in Centralia, Washington, to Cora Ellen Hart and Don Keith Purcell. As a young man, he began serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Virginia. After sustaining a knee injury during his mission, he returned to his home state of Washington, where he completed his service.

Tony married Annie Swasey in 1978. They had five children and later divorced.

Tony earned a bachelor's degree in Education from Utah State University and taught fifth grade at Todd Elementary from 1985 to 1997. During those years and later in life, he lived in both Washington and Utah, where he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and frequenting the local DI. He spent many happy hours sitting in a blind watching the deer and earned the nickname "Two-point Tony".As a younger man, Tony played football and baseball, playing baseball at Centralia College in Washington. In later years, he found joy in watching his children and grandchildren participate in those same sports.

Tony is survived by his children, Luke (Tiffany) Purcell, Herriman; Andrew (Jessica) Purcell, Upalco; Warren (Erica) Purcell, Maeser; Cora (Mike) Sabo, East Carbon; Kadee (Dakota) Fox, Roosevelt; and nine grandchildren. 

He is preceded in death by his father, Don Keith Purcell; his mother and stepfather, Cora and Warren Walker; his brothers Steven and Raymond Purcell; and his grandson, Odysseus R Everett Fox.

Funeral services will be held Thursday March 19, 2026, at 11:00am at the Ashley 3rd Ward LDS Chapel, (235 East 600 South). Visitation for family and friends will be Wednesday from 6:00pm ~ 8:00pm at the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home, and Thursday from 9:45am ~ 10:45am at the church.Interment in Vernal Memorial Park under the direction of the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home.