William Randolph Rankin was born October 21st, 1980, in Murray, Utah: the seventh child in his large and loving family. He passed away unexpectedly at the age of 41 on Saturday, February 26th, 2022, in a vehicle accident.

As a child Randy prized harmony above material possessions and competitiveness. He was known for giving things up to make others happy in order to maintain peace in relationships, as well as for his larger-than-life smile. The piano was central to life in the Rankin family. Randy loved to play and teach his younger family members. When Randy was 11 years old, the family relocated from Salt Lake City, Utah to Big Water, Utah. During his time at Big Water High School, he became an accomplished carpenter. He crafted many pieces of intarsia wood art, including a giant rose sculpted from oak for his beloved sister Rose. Later in life, Randy went on to learn masonry. He became highly skilled in this trade, creating stonemasonry pieces in places such as Heartland Elementary School in West Jordan, UT, and Camp Williams State Military Reservation in Bluffdale, UT.

In 2018, Randy sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI). He spent months in and out of the hospital. His family watched in admiration the courageousness and resilience he displayed as he soldiered through his difficult road of rehabilitation. He enjoyed the visual results of his work as well as the emotional satisfaction of going out of his way to help others, even despite the limitations of his injury. After the TBI, Randy sought refuge both in music and in the wilderness surrounding Big Water. He could be found exploring the sand paths, sitting outside of his home at dusk playing the guitar and singing soulfully, or filling his parents’ home with his beautiful piano playing.

Randy’s voice and charismatic personality were unforgettable. No matter the distance in time or space, Randy was keen to maintain his relationships with his family members. He greeted all with a big hug and a warm smile.

Randy is survived by his two precious children Gavin and Megan (Brycie), his father William Edward Rankin, mother Geraldine Alexius Rankin, stepmother Heather Lynne Rankin, along with ten brothers and sisters: Ronald (Cory) Rankin, Rhonda (Farrell) Pickering, Raymond (Heather Leanne) Rankin, Rose (Scott) Donalson, Rachael Rankin, Ryan (Vicki) Rankin, David (Cecily) Rankin, Lauren (Ben) Rankin, Joseph Rankin, and Ashley (Cory) Brunner, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In the constellation of his family, he will always be one of the eleven. Randy’s memory is permanent in the soul, forever in the heart and eternally loved.

A Celebration of Randy’s Life will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at 2:00 PM at the Rankin Residence.