MONTPELIER — Donald Wesley Williams, 72, passed away Thursday, June 12, 2008, at his home after a valiant yearlong battle with cancer. He was born on May 20, 1936, to Pearl Emery and Wesley Lusk Williams in Burley, Idaho.
Don loved growing up in Montpelier, Idaho, a community he loved. He had great friends and a caring family. He graduated from Montpelier High School, received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah, Master’s from Utah State University and his Doctorate from Brigham Young University. As a young man he served a two-year mission in England for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and later served a mission with his wife to Athens, Greece.
He married Karen Wright on March 18, 1960, in the Logan Temple. They were married 48 years. They are the parents of six children. He taught English and History at West High in Salt Lake and later was the head of the Social Studies Department at Logan High. He later transferred to the Church Education System where he taught the gospel for the remainder of his teaching years. He had the experience of being Seminary principal at Logan High, Sky View High and Mountain Crest High Schools. He then had the opportunity to move to Atlanta, Georgia as the assistant coordinator for the nine Southern states region and Puerto Rico for church education.
Don loved the gospel whether it was serving as bishop, high councilor, young men’s president or teaching a priesthood class. Dad loved having a large family, and the good humor and laughter that children bring into a home.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Debra. He is survived by his wife, Karen W. Williams of Montpelier; and children, Lisa (Jeff) Winter of San Diego, California, Kimberly (Brent) McArthur of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Court (Charlene) Williams of Ventura, California, Stacey (Brent) Bean of Austin, Texas, Michelle (Bret) Selman of Tremonton, Utah, and Tyler (Angie) Williams of Manchester, Missouri; twenty grandchildren; and a brother, Jerry (Rosalie) Williams of Saratoga, Utah. The family would like to thank the doctors, Hospice, friends and family for their care.
Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday, June 20, at the Montpelier 2nd Ward Chapel, 585 No. 8th St. The interment will be in the Montpelier Cemetery.
Jerry Williams (1959)
Don often told the story of a prank pulled on our music teacher, Mr. Wes Baker. Before choir someone sabotaged Mr. Baker's grand piano. Each time Mr. Baker would press down a single key, to give a pitch, two or three keys would go down. Mr. Baker nearly tore the piano apart trying to find out what was happening. (As all that took music from Mr. Baker know, the more angry he would get, the brighter red his balding head would get.) Finally he found the problem. Scotch tape was used to connect the front of two or three keys. These "connections" were randomly made the full length of the key board. It was carefully done and very hard to see. Don didn't tell me whether he was one of the perpetrators, but knowing my big brother, it wouldn't surprise me! He knew the details.
I sure do miss him!
Jerry