Emma Lou Wailes Nepolis passed away peacefully Tuesday morning at 11:07 am, September 22, 2026 in her own home in St. George, UT due to natural causes at the age of 92 where she had family members attending her.

Lou was born on December 11, 1933, in Hazelton, Idaho, to William John Wailes and Florence Matilda (Tilly) Teuscher. At 5 years old, her mother moved her children to Salt Lake City after losing her husband and farm. Lou attended Hamilton Elementary and later graduated from South High School.

As a young woman, Lou worked cleaning houses before marrying the love of her life, Donald Paul Nepolis, in 1951. She actually met Don on a telephone party line by accident when she and her girlfriend were just having a little fun. A blind date followed that conversation in a bright orange chevy truck which led to a wedding at her mother’s home on 8th south and 7th east in Salt Lake City, Utah. She began her banking career as a teller at First Security Bank in Bingham, Utah earning 25 cents a week. Through hard work, dedication, and leadership, she worked her way up through numerous branch locations to become Bank Manager, retiring after a long and distinguished career with several different banking institutions. During these years, there was always vacations to California, countless camping trips in the back of the truck and camper from the Canadian border, here and there, clear to the border city of El Paso, Texas.

Throughout their marriage, Don and Lou made their home in Bingham Canyon, Lead Mine, Midvale, and Willowcreek. Upon retirement, they moved to Sunriver, St. George, Utah, where they cherished their golden years away from the snow traveling and cruising together, creating lasting memories, and enjoying the sun. Don dabbled in the collection of golf balls and Lou for a time swung a club or two. Lou’s final 5 years have been spent at St. George Legacy for Independent Living. There, as in her time at Sunriver, she struck up many friendships and associations and participated in many activities and excursions. She has always been quite a card shark and at Legacy was known somewhat as the ‘bingo queen’ collecting more than her share of treats and coveted bingo dollars. She has been competitive, resilient and strong-willed into this 93rd year of her life.

Family was the centerpiece of Lou’s life. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose love and strength enriched the lives of all who knew her.

She is survived by her children, Michelle Nepolis Blake (Reed) and Chris Nepolis (Sheryl); her seven grandchildren: Brooke (Jon), Braxton, Tiffany (Bryan), Tyson (Emily), Chantelle (Tyler), Caleb (Allyson), and Whitney; and 18 cherished great-grandchildren and they are: Marquell, Tyson, Mason, Miles, Mikaela, Carter, Ellie, Will, Noah, Daphne, Adam, Rex, Colt, Cadence, Cambree, Archer, Odin, and Lily.

Lou is of the LDS faith and believed in our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. She was often offering small gifts and gestures to those she associated with endeavoring to be thoughtful and kind. Her nature was always very sassy and yet engaging. She always gave the best customer service in her world of banking and finance including decades of counting money for the annual 3-day Salt Lake Greek Festival. However, over the years mom’s greatest strength was found in the care she gave to others, particularly her own mother, sister Helen and sister Virginia, and not to forget the many friends made in St. George, UT.

Lou was preceded in death by her parents, William John Wailes and Florence Matilda (Tilly) Teuscher; her loving husband Donald Paul Nepolis, her granddaughter, Aubrey Lynn Nepolis; and her siblings, Virginia Ruth Davis, William Preston Davis, Richard Ronald Wailes, and Helen Mae Wailes.

Service Information

• Viewing / Visitation: Sunday, September 27, from 1-2:30, Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E 10600 S, Sandy, UT

• Interment / Burial: Larkin / Larkin Sunset Lawn

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Huntsman Cancer Institute and St. George City Animal Shelter (bestfriends.org) in memory of Emma Lou Nepolis.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454

Family and friends are invited to share their condolences and sign Lou’s online guestbook at www.SpilsburyMortuary.com

Honorary Pallbearers

Christopher Donald Nepolis (son)

Reed Blake (son-in-law)

Jon Moreno (grandson-in-law)

Bryan Horne (grandson-in-law)

Tyler McNeill (grandson-in-law)

Pallbearers

Braxton Nepolis (grandson)

Mason Moreno (great-grandson)

Tyson Nepolis Doyle (great-grandson)

Tyson Blake (grandson)

Caleb Blake (grandson)

Carter Horne (great-grandson)

William Blake (great-grandson)

Noah Blake (great-grandson)