Larry Williams

Larry Wayne Williams, age 81, was born on August 14, 1932, in Vernal, Utah to Roland and Hilda Belcher Williams. He passed away peacefully at home the morning of June 18, 2014, surrounded by his loving family.

He graduated from Uintah High School with the class of 1950. They were a close class and enjoyed being together through the years.

Larry joined the Navy in 1952, and served 4 years in active duty during the Korean War. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal (3 Stars), China Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.

He married JoDean Slavensky Anderson on February 18, 1961 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on April 30, 1962.

He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served as an Explorer Leader, a ward clerk, and a secretary in the High Priest Group, among other callings.

Larry had a strong work ethic and had many different occupations through the years. He worked in the oil field, was a barber, a school bus driver, a truck driver and owned his own construction company paving roads and driveways with native asphalt. He instilled in his sons his strong work ethic by patiently teaching and working beside them.

He was raised by a widowed mother and felt a strong need to help the widows in his ward. Often he would gather up his boys to cut and distribute firewood and fresh fish to them.

Larry's greatest joy was his family and loved spending time with them, especially his grandchildren. He recently told his granddaughter that he hoped there were little ones on the other side.

He also loved boats. He found great joy in buying an old boat and fixing it up. He always owned one or more boats and was happiest being on a lake fishing.

Larry really loved to go fishing! He fished in the Pacific Northwest Territory of Canada, off the shore of Cabo San Lucas in Mexico and on the shores of Pacific Mexico. But his favorite place to fish was on the small lakes surrounding Vernal with his children, grandchildren, or fishing buddies.

He is survived by his wife, JoDean; his daughter Laneeda (Jim) Lucero, Plano, TX; his sons Lonnie (Duella), Syracuse, UT; Gregg (Amber), Vernal, UT; David (Laurie), Gilbert, AZ; and Keven (Michelle), Vernal, UT; his 23 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; his sisters Marita (Garth) Batty and Joleen (David) Freemyer. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Dale Williams and Robert H. Williams and a sister, Donna (Carl) Collett.

We would like to offer our sincere gratitude to all those who have been a help and a blessing in Larry's life over the past year: children, grandchildren, dear friends, and relatives.

Larry was born during the Great Depression when everything was hard to get and now, in 2014, everything is in great abundance. He had his share of heartaches, misfortunes, illnesses, cuts and bruises but he just got up, dusted himself off and never complained. He tried to see the humor in all things. He loved his family (who will remember his haircuts, fried potatoes and his light-heartedness), his country and the Lord. He was a humble, gentle man who taught by example.

Funeral services were held Saturday, June 21, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Vernal 3rd Ward Chapel at 475 West 100 South in Vernal, Utah. Family and friends called Friday evening from 6:00 ~ 8:00 p.m. at the Ashley Valley Funeral Home, 410 North 800 West, Vernal, Utah and Saturday morning 9:45~10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the services. Interment was in the Vernal Memorial Park with Military honors by the American Legion Post 11.