Clyde Leland Williams
April 3, 1935 – January 9, 2024
Clyde Leland Williams graduated this world on January 9, 2024. Beloved by so many, his life was filled with love, service, hard work, kindness, and faith.
On April 3, 1935, in Malad, Idaho, Leland and Zilpha (White) Williams, welcomed their first baby boy. He joined sisters, Nadine, Neva, and Selma. Over the next 14 years, brothers, Brent, Carl, and Larry completed the family. Time spent on the family ranch in Deep Creek planted a love of the land and animals and the desire to care for both.
A Dragon all the way, he attended Malad Elementary, Junior High, and High School. While in elementary school he had perfect attendance, from 1943 – 1947. While in high school he participated in several clubs, played basketball and football, and began an interest in photography. He was a member of the Malad Valley Posse riding his cutting horse.
He continued his education at Ricks College and earned a spot as tackle on their football team. While at Ricks he met the love of his life, Louise Pearson, whom he married on May 5, 1955, in the Idaho Falls Temple. They filled the next 68 years with Saturday night dates, dancing, hunting trips, and supporting one another.
In 1958 Clyde graduated and they moved back to Malad where they raised their family and worked the ranch. They raised nine children, Daralis, Sandra (Sam), Carol, Tim, Thomas, Terry, Kay, Pam, and Ted, who each have special memories of their dad. He had a special place in his heart for his grandchildren and loved to make them smile. Whether it be granddaughters applying pink plastic rollers, sword fighting pirate style, leading them on horseback, carving willow whistles, four-wheeler rides, or giving them rides on his knee, he made them feel special.
For thirty years he worked for the United States Forest Service, enjoying maintaining and preserving the land. Many fond memories and great friends were made while there.
Clyde’s love for his horses and dogs showed in their trust in and loyalty to him. He could light a backfire while riding Pearlie and count on Midge to silently alert him of nearby prey while on a hunt. He and Louise enjoyed numerous trail rides with coworkers and friends. While on these trips, they perfected the chicken recipe that is now served at every family reunion.
A life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in many capacities including Ward Missionary and Sunday School Superintendent. Not surprisingly, their first calling as a married couple in Pocatello was Ward Dance Instructors.
He is survived by his wife, Louise; children Daralis (Jim) Robinson, Sandra (Sam) King, Carol Rabuck, Tim (Keren) Williams, Thomas (Julie) Williams, Terry (Amy) Williams, Kay Haney, Pam (Leon) Duce, and Ted (Tami) Williams; 52 grandchildren; 53 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and brother and his wife, Carl (Jeanne) Williams and sister-in-law, Joan Williams.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Nadine (Everett) Conrad, Neva (Milt) Christensen, Selma (Earl) Yearsley, Brent and Larry Williams; sons-in-law, Bert King and Ronald Rabuck; granddaughter Janet Robinson; and great-grandson, Kooper Perry.
The family would like to thank the staff at Birch Creek Assisted Living and Memory Care for their exceptional care of Clyde during his time there. He loved attending the sing-a-longs and participating in events like Leprechaun races. Special thanks to his nurses, Vanessa Moser and Krista Carlson for the loving care. Thank you to Brad and the staff at Horsley Funeral Home.
Viewings will be held Monday, January 15th, from 7pm – 8pm, and Tuesday, January 16th, from 10:30am – 11:30am, both at the Horsley Funeral Home, 132 West 300 North, Malad. Funeral will be January 16th, at noon, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 400 North 200 West, Malad. Interment will follow at the Malad Cemetery.”