LOCAL NEWS

Southern Utah teen killed in bull riding accident

Mar 8, 2022, 9:35 PM | Updated: Jun 19, 2022, 9:34 pm

CEDAR CITY, Utah — A southern Utah family is mourning the loss of their son after he was killed in a bull riding accident.

It happened Friday in Cedar City.

Sarah Draper said her 17-year-old son was living out his dream of being in rodeos. And, while she will miss the boy everyone describes as “the life of the party,” she says he had never been happier than the last few months when he started riding bulls.

“(He was) very, very happy, energetic, very fearless,” Draper told KSL with a smile. 

The teen wanted to be a professional bull rider, and since finding his passion, he didn’t look back. But the adrenaline junkie had a softer side, too.

“He was always so caring and always looked out, made sure everybody was safe all the time,” said Sareena Draper, William’s sister.

William Draper was the second-youngest of 11 children. His siblings say he was the thrill-seeker.

Last Friday, he left in a rush to go practice bull-riding.

“I heard him and I was like, ‘Do you want me to help you load up your stuff?’ He was like, ‘Sure.’ Then he drove off,” said his younger brother, Ben.

An hour later, the 17-year-old died.

William’s friends describe him as the guy that “has your back” and as a hard worker.

“He was always motivated, a lot of motivation,” said one friend who loved spending time with the aspiring bull rider.

Some of this group watched as William took that last fall. It’s hard for them to believe he’s gone, but say memories will keep him alive.

“He was a goofball, very much a goofball,” said one friend.

For the family, they will miss the energy he brought to everyone around him.

“I’m mostly gonna miss that peaceful disposition and gratitude,” said his mom. “Outstanding character, just so thoughtful, very very considerate.”

The family lost their father just six months ago and could use help with funeral costs. They’ve set up a GoFundMe* page.


*KSL TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

(KSL TV)...

Lauren Steinbrecher

Clinton police launch internal investigation after women report ‘concerning’ officer encounter

Two women are recounting an interaction with a Clinton police officer during a traffic stop in Roy that left them concerned.

46 minutes ago

Matt Gephardt working with Bona Rose on the CarChex documents....

Matt Gephardt and Sloan Schrage, KSL TV

Get Gephardt: West Valley woman says her extended car warranty claim was denied unfairly

Many drivers buy an extended auto warranty to cover unexpected repair bills. But when a West Valley City woman turned to her warranty provider for major help on her car's transmission, they turned her down - repeatedly.

11 hours ago

Moments before a Salt Lake City woman is hit by a white car in the Avenues....

Eric Cabrera, KSL NewsRadio, Garna Mejia and Michael Houck, KSL TV

Doorbell camera captures another hit-and-run in Salt Lake City

New doorbell camera shows bystanders rushing to save a woman who may be another victim of an alleged serial hit-and-runner.

12 hours ago

A view of the West Temple and 200 South intersection in Salt Lake City....

Michael Houck

A major downtown Salt Lake City intersection will close from April to May

Starting April 1, the West Temple and 200 South intersection will be closed as crews replace natural gas lines.

13 hours ago

Researchers gathered in a Weber State University room for a Air Quality Summit....

Mike Anderson

Air Quality Summit puts focus on Utah air pollution and solutions

Many of the researchers who study Utah's air pollution problems are sharing what they've found while working to find solutions during Thursday's Air Quality Summit.

14 hours ago

Keith Stebbings (right) confronting Loren Richardson (left) after Richardson allegedly entered his ...

Shelby Lofton

‘He wasn’t intending to hurt anybody’: Brighton homeowner attorney says snowboarder confrontation was a misunderstanding

The Brighton man armed with a gun while confronting a snowboarder in a viral video is now facing criminal charges. But his attorney says he had the right to protect his property.

15 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Southern Utah teen killed in bull riding accident