Jay Williams

Jay Williams of Holbrook passed away peacefully from natural causes on Nov. 20, 2023 at age 97.

Jay was a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather, but the love of his life was his wife, Dorothy.

He was born February 22, 1926 in Sunnyside, Utah and grew up farming, ranching and coal mining. He and his brother Garth enlisted in WWII. Garth gave his life for our country in France and Jay served in the Pacific for the Navy for two years and was present at the battles of Okinawa, Iwo Jima, the Japanese surrender in Tokyo bay and was part of the occupation force of Japan.

After, he served an LDS mission in California, he attended and graduated from BYU, where he met Dorothy Heward. He married Dorothy on June 5, 1951. They were married 69 years before her death in 2020.

He served as LDS bishop for 12 years and stake president for 10 years and directed the construction of the Holbrook LDS stake center.

He owned and operated Heward Super Service, providing gasoline, mechanical service and towing for 69 years. He developed a trailer sales and rental operation, as well as an interchange convenience store. He operated a truck stop for 18 years. He built two Holbrook homes.

He loved teaching people how to enjoy life with music, dance and physical activity. He also loved water skiing and tennis. He promoted good music, love of country and family history and he exemplified service.

He was father to 8 children with 41 grandchildren, 78 great-grandchildren.

He is survived by children Steven (Roseanna) Williams, Jennilyn (Larry) Lowe, Helen (Scott) Butler, Evelyn (Rick) Bryson, Rebecca (Dan) Garrett, Mathew (Barbra) Williams and Jeffrey (Deann) Williams; and a large extended family.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; parents, Milton and Evelyn Williams; brothers, Garth and Eddie; sisters, Marjorie Rosenlund, Larue Odenwalder and Myrna Warnick; daughter, Maureen (Brad) Hall and granddaughter, Melissa (Eric) Chapman.

Funeral services will begin at 10:00 am in the Holbrook Stake Center, 1127 Helen Ave, on Friday, December 1, 2023, preceded by a 9:00 am viewing and followed by a graveside service at Holbrook Cemetery.

Please come and join with us to honor our father!