Lee Williams

Lee enlisted in the U.S. Navy on July 10, 1948 and was honorably discharged four years later. It was here that he learned the beloved occupational trade, that of a machinist. He spent time on the AD17 Piedmont Destroyer, sailing to Pearl Harbor then to the Philippines and many port cities in Korea and Japan. While in Okinawa he recalled being on the ship and surviving a typhoon for five days. He knew what it meant to hang on for dear life. Due largely to his military service he was left hearing impaired. He was a lover of patriotism and the Land of the Free. On December 4, 1953 he married the most beautiful women he had ever seen, Ruth LaNae Barrus in Grantsville, Utah. They were later sealed together for “Time and All Eternity” in the Salt Lake City Temple on November 25, 1985. They are the parents of four daughters - Debbie Reid (Dan), Connie Archibald (Dale), Trina Griffith (David), Sheila Youngberg (Shawn)…..and five sons – James (Dawna), Russell (Macon), Martin, Fred (Jennifer) and Blake (Skye). Lee and LaNae also rejoiced in having 22 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. He would often share that their most prized possession after 65 years of marriage was their children.

Lee supported his large family by working at the Tooele Army Depot as a machinist, retiring in July 1985 after 33 years. He taught his children that “If you love what you are doing----you will never work a day in your life”. In Grantsville he was known as the “town plumber”, “24-hour furnace repair man, “coyote hunter”, “tennis racket service man”, and “gun smith” extraordinaire. These service opportunities blessed many lives including his. Several years ago he was honored to receive a “Service Award” from Grantsville High School due to the countless donated hours spent improving the school surroundings. One can easily say that he was a “Man-of-Service”….and he loved doing it all, he felt joy often.

He was a valiant member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where he served in many callings, but most prominent was his 23 years as the Ward Clerk for the Grantsville Third Ward. Lee had a testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. He expressed often that he wanted his children to love each other and live the gospel as active members of the true Church on the earth today.

There are many things he was passionate about. His hobbies brought him many moments of pleasure: namely, trap-shooting, hunting, fishing, gardening, and enjoying the out-of-doors. He was a world renown animal caller and taught this art to his sons. One of his favorite places to be was in the Cedar Mountains, the Western Desert and surrounding streams. Lee was a huge BYU fan. It wasn’t unusual for him to host a tailgate party in his living room with many family and
friends.

At this time the children of Lee J. Williams wish to pay tribute to their father, the patriarch, lover of freedom & liberty, and peacemaker of their family. They are grateful to many caregivers who tenderly cared for their father in the past few years, and for life-long friends who visited him often. We appreciate also the compassionate service offered by the members of the Grantsville 3rd Ward. It is comforting to know that a “wonderful celebration” took place as our father entered the Spirit World where he was reunited with his family: wife, parents, brother, sisters and a host of special friends.

Family and friends are invited to a “celebration of life” for Lee J. Williams. The viewing and funeral will both be held at the LDS Meetinghouse at 428 South Hale Street in Grantsville, Utah. The viewing will be held Saturday, January 4th from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. with the funeral directly following at 12 noon. A military salute and the dedication of the grave will take place at the Grantsville City Cemetery.