Norman Bliss Jr. was born in Toquerville, Utah. His father died when he was 7 years old and his mother took her young family to Rockville to live near her parents. When he was 13 his mother died and he lived for a time with his uncle Hosea Stout. He learned the value of work at a young age. When he was only 11 he delivered mail to the families who lived within what is now Zion National Park. The mail had to be lowered down to him by rope.

His first marriage was to Mary Elizabeth Morris of the nearby town of Grafton Utah. The family had their first child Clarence in Rockville and then moved to Hinckley, Millard County, Utah. They had 4 more children Clark, Oren, Maitlan and Earl while living in Hinckley. Mary died when their youngest child Earl was only 2 years old.

Norman then married Harriet Theobald of Hinckley. They lived in Hinckley and Abraham, a nearby community. They had 7 children. Their first child, Stan was born in Hinckley, the next 3- Zelma [the only daughter], Howard and Theone [known as Bill] were born in Abraham. The youngest 3 Max, Ferron and George [known as Joe] were born back in Hinckley.

Norman was a farmer and a freighter. He ran the Woodruff Ranch in Abraham and later his own farm in Hinckely. He also spent a lot of time on the Utah West Desert where he would haul food to miners and freight ore back.

Norman was a hard working father who supported his large family well. He was considered honest and was well respected in the community. He also like to box. When someone was new to the town, or traveling through the men in the community like to hold a boxing match, and Norman was often chosen to represent them.

Norman was injured in an accident with a hay derrick when the fork swung loose and pierced him through his midsection. He was taken to Salt Lake City to try to save his life, but he died from peritonitis. His youngest son George was only a month old.