WILLIAMS, GRACE RICHARDS, March 16, 1917 – December 20, 2008
Grace Richards Williams, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt, passed away from the effects of a stroke on December 20, 2008 in Bountiful, Utah. She was born to Dr. Thomas Williams Richards and Hilda Merrill Richards in Malad, Idaho on March 16, 1917. She was a granddaughter of LDS apostle and first president of the Logan Temple, Marriner Wood Merrill, and Elna Jonsson Merrill, who emigrated to the United States from her native Sweden after she converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her paternal grandparents, William H. Richards and Catherine Jones Richards were early residents of Malad valley. Grace grew up in Malad City and then later attended Utah State University. Her friendship with a high school acquaintance, Howell Mifflin Williams, Jr. blossomed into an eternal romance with him when they were married in the Logan Temple on June 18, 1937, by her uncle, Apostle Joseph F. Merrill. The newlyweds then rode the bus to Ogden, Utah where Grace and Miff resided until they moved to Bountiful in 2003.
In Ogden they raised two sons. Grace supported her husband in all of his church, business and civic endeavors, and at the same time, she was heavily involved in her own activities. Even though she loved and lived life fully until the time of her stroke one week before her death, the passing of her devoted husband in Bountiful on May 20, 2004, left an unfilled void in her life.
She was blessed with a sharp mind and had interests and abilities in many areas. She was well-read and enjoyed her association with fellow members of several book clubs. She loved family history and was an active member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. Grace was especially gifted musically, and when she was only twelve years of age, began her career as a church organist. She was a ward organist in various Ogden wards for over 50 years. In her earlier Ogden years, she presented organ recitals over KLO radio. She taught piano lessons for over 40 years and was active in the Utah Music Teachers Assoc., serving as president of its Ogden chapter and at the state level as well. Grace had strong faith in the Savior, which she evidenced by continued and loving service in the auxiliary organizations of the Church as well as serving as a temple ordinance worker with her husband in the Logan and Ogden temples.
Grace and Miff enjoyed playing golf, attending cultural events, cheering on the Wildcats, and traveling the world. But most of all, they loved spending time with and serving family. She was a great example, even in her later years, of how to live life with verve! Though we rejoice in her reunion with deceased loved ones, we all wish she was still here.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, son, Dr. Roger R. Williams; sister Cleopha Richards Probst; and brother Dr. Melvin M. Richards.
She is survived by her son, Howell Mifflin (Susan Clyde) Williams III of Bountiful; daughter-in-law Linda Gygi Williams of Salt lake City; sisters, Elna Richards (James) Bischoff of Ogden and Kathryn Ann Richards (Dr. Reed) Powell of Villa Park, California. Her posterity includes 12 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Grace’s life will be held December 27, 2008 at the Larkin and Sons Chapel, Ogden, Utah. Interment in the Malad City Cemetery.