Harmon Williams

Harmon Stranquist Williams

January 8, 1951 ~ January 19, 2017

Harmon Stranquist Williams was born on January 8, 1951 and passed away on January 19, 2017.  His trademark was a cowboy hat and handlebar mustache, and those who knew him discovered his infectious giggle and kind heart.  Some have called him “Larger than life.”

He graduated from Ogden High School, attended Weber College, and then joined the National Guard Airborne Unit where he made twenty-five parachute jumps and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant in less than five years.  The Army tried ever so hard to convince him to re-enlist, but he chose Utah.

He loved being active and creating with his hands:  cutting down trees, sawing logs, pouring concrete, designing and crafting beautiful wood cabinets, fixing his canvas-topped jeep, and more.  All his skill and ability culminated in his taking the lead in constructing the family cabin which has served the family for thirty-five wonderful years.  He had so much talent and strength that he was always the go-to man when anyone needed help.

His career included construction work, wood working, and representing Browning Arms Company in various capacities.  He started his own business early in his career, supplying wood cases for Browning products.  He later became Trade Show Coordinator for Browning.  He traveled nation-wide to set-up, tear-down and work the trade shows, and shoots as part of the Browning team.  With his extensive knowledge and experience with firearms, he built many life-long relationships among shooters and hunters.  In addition to his responsibilities as Trade Show Coordinator, he built custom furniture and displays for Browning.  He retired from Browning in 2014.

He was an avid outdoorsman and was always in his element with a fly rod, a shotgun, or a hunting rifle in his hands.  He had a strong passion for his hunting dogs - both Chesapeakes and Chocolate Labs.  With such devotion to the out-of-doors, he was insistent that his sons and nephews grow up appreciating nature and understanding the safety measures necessary to enjoy it.

Harm leaves behind his wife, Gayle Williams; his sons, Harmon Joseph Williams and grandchild, Harmon Luke; Cody (Donnell) Ross and grandchildren, McKenzie and Cooper; and Shane (Bonnie) Ross and grandchildren, Kelsey and Caiden.  He also leaves behind his siblings, David (Jenny) Williams, Robert (Kris) Williams, and Celia (Don) Baron, as well as his nephews and niece, Conor Williams, Matt Williams, Jed Williams, Tyler Baron, Scott Baron, Kelly Gay, and many cousins.  In addition, he is survived by Gayle’s son, Travis (Lisa) Benzley and grandchildren Trevor and Alyssa; Gayle’s daughter, Michelle (Casey) Giacoletto and grandchildren Jayc, Austin, and Bricen; and his brother-in-law Tony Ponder, his niece Lindsay and her son Jalen.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Gwen Stranquist Williams and Harmon Greenwell Williams; and his aunts and uncles, George and Ruth Williams, Bette and Russell Parmley, Ellen Greenwell, Anna Jane and John Chain, Shirley and Richard Hemingway, and Ruthy Roberts.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to  Ducks Unlimited, Wounded Warriors, or a charity of your choice.

A celebration of Harm’s life will be held at a later time.  Arrangements entrusted to Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary.