WILLIAMS, CORDELL LEWIS, February 25, 1925 – May 26, 2006

Cordell Lewis Williams, 81, beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle, passed away at his home in Cherry Creek due to complications of cancer on May 26, 2006

He was born to Annie Eveline Hansen and Howell Mifflin Williams, Sr. in Garland, UT, February 15, 1925. His father was teaching school at the time and was the first AG teacher in the new Bear River high School. When he was two years of age, his family moved to Malad, ID, where his father was a farmer/rancher and general manager for the Shell Oil Co.

Cordell had rheumatic fever several times when young. He remembered a blessing which stated, : “From this time forth you will proceed to get well.” This was not accomplished immediately, but gradually throughout his life his health improved and for this he credited the Lord. He always prayed that he would be able to work hard and this blessing was realized.

He married Maisie Harris in the Logan Temple on October 10, 1944. Though he tried to enlist in the military the next day, he was rejected because of his bad heart. He worked with his father in Malad and for a time worked for Beneficial Life and became one of their prominent agents. They enjoyed their three years in Ogden but when his father passed away, he was impressed to go back to Malad and raise his family on the ranch. In 1975 he began Williams Irrigation Corp, which some said “made the Malad Valley green”.

He always said that though he and his wife didn’t get any higher degrees, the church provided their education. In 1992 they were called to serve in the Tennessee/Nashville mission where ironically his parents had served 45 years earlier. Though fulfilling many church calling, including Bishop for ten years, his favorite seemed to be the temple classes which he and Maisie joyfully taught until just a month before his death.

His only hobby was his wife of 61 years, whom he protected and cherished and loved, and his family whom he blessed with a legacy of a faith and testimony. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, William J. and H. Mifflin Williams.

He is survived by his wife; daughter, Dianne Williams McKee, Salt lake City, UT; Cristine Williams Asxton, Sandy, UT; son Cordell Lewis (Winky) Williams, Jr.; son, Arch H. (Kiley) Williams, Moorpark, CA; daughter, Trudy (Lex) Tracy, Sandy, UT; daughter, Kathleen Williams, Lehi, UT; 23 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a sister Marguerite Clarke, Iowa City, Iowa.

A celebration of his life was held on Tuesday, May 30 at the Malad 5th Ward Chapel. Burial was in the Malad City Cemetery.