SMITHFIELD – Donald Gene Williams of Smithfield, Utah died unexpectedly at his home on July 30, 2016.
Don was born August 15, 1927 to Sam and May Williams in Samaria, Idaho at the home of his Grandma and Grandpa Smith’s farm in a place known as “The Point”.
He spent his early years working on the family farm in Samaria and attending his first four years of school. In 1936, he moved to Malad City where he attended the public schools, graduating from Malad High School in 1945. While in high school as a senior, he met his sweetheart and loving wife, Mary Alice Wight, whom he married on July 8, 1948 in the Logan LDS Temple.
Don graduated from Snow College In 1948 where he was active in student government and excelled in football, basketball and boxing. He continued his education at Utah State University, and graduated from the American Institute of Banking, and the Pacific Coast Banking School.
Don worked for the United States Postal Service for 10 years, after which he accepted employment with First Security Bank. He served in Tremonton for seven years, then transferred to Smithfield, Utah where he spent the balance of his banking career in the management of the banks in Richmond and Smithfield, retiring in 1987 as a Senior Vice President.
Don was active in the LDS church during his entire life, having served in many stake and ward positions. He was the first Bishop of the Smithfield Sixth Ward and served on the High Council for seven years.
Along with his wife, Mary Alice, they served in the Singapore Mission for 18 months which included India, Singapore, and Indonesia. After returning from the mission, Don was called and served as a Sealer in the Logan Temple for 16 years, uniting many couples for time and all eternity, including 12 of his grandchildren.
He also actively participated in community service, with the Lions Club, the United Way, city council, and more too numerous to mention.
He loved sports and supported the Smithfield Blue Sox, the local high schools and USU sports programs. He had a great love for competition.
Don is survived by his wife, Mary Alice, of 68 years; four sons and one daughter: Mike (Becky),
Donald Gene Williams
David (Kris), Jef (Tonya), Todd (Kim), and Kathy Allen (Craig) along with 20 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings: Wayne, Tom, and Elda Mae Price. He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and one sister.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 6, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. in the Smithfield 17th Ward LDS church building, 345 East 300 South, Smithfield. A viewing will be held Friday evening August 5 at the Nelson Funeral Home, 85 South Main, Smithfield, Utah, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. the morning of the services at the church. Burial will be in the Smithfield City Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Allen-Hall Mortuary of Logan, Utah.