Paul Williams

Paul Mark Williams passed away peacefully Saturday November 9, 2019 in his home in Layton, UT.

He was born July 19, 1953 to Carl and Paula (Blunt) Williams in Ogden, UT. He was the third oldest of 14 kids. He attended school in Davis County and graduated from Layton High School. He often told the story about getting an award in school for never missing a day of school K-12. The only day he missed was the day they gave him the award for never missing school.

After graduation, he briefly lived in Elsie, MI where he met and fell in love with his first wife, Deborah (deceased). He brought Debbie back to Utah to raise a family. More specifically, he told her it was time for him to go back to Utah. She took that as a marriage proposal and said, “Yes!”

Family was the most important thing to Paul. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for any member of his family. Often times, he would search the house looking for something, only to remember later that he gave it or loaned it to someone else. He was known to literally give people the shirt off his back. This extended to friends, as well.  He was a friend to everyone.

Paul and Debbie had five children. Each of them thought they were Paul’s favorite. When Debbie was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, their kids were witness to an unconditional love that raised the bar for anyone that would come into their lives. To this day, when asked who their hero is, all the Williams kids will answer “Dad”. Without hesitation.

After surviving the devastating loss of Debbie, he met and fell in love with Shauna. They met by chance and their companionship blossomed into something neither could live without. Shauna also had five kids and they quickly figured out how to blend into a modern day Brady Bunch family. Becoming a family of 12 was not always easy, but Paul embraced the challenge and was a man that all 10 kids could look up to. His examples of love, sacrifice and strength were evident daily and never to be forgotten.

He was a lifelong carpenter and had recently retired from Davis County School District. He was often found sitting in his living room whittling away at a block of wood. He diligently consumed every article put out by Space.com and often delighted his wife, kids, and grandkids with random updates on space exploration. He often took long drives in the canyon, usually pointing out work that he had done with his own hands. He was known to turn up his music outside in his wood shed. In fact, the neighbors (in addition to the family) were all aware how good his stereo was. Paul also was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

He is survived by his wife, Shauna Williams; his children: Melanie (Adrian), Rebecca, Lindsay (Michael), Kyle, Brandon (Stacie), Dustin (JaLane), Cameron (Cheree), Amanda (Chris) and Summer (Neal);  27 Grandkids: Alex, Zak, Mason, Loni, Cariad, Nora Claire, Gideon, Ezra, Anna, Zeke, Andrew, Joshua, Sophia, Sierra, Aubrey, Lillian, Zaylee, Camden, Case, Cohen, Cahl, Brendan, Cason, Ella, Allie, Kobe and Autum; his siblings: Layne (Karen), Shelley (Les), Jackie, Tom (Sherrie), Cal (Kathy), Leesa, Kathy, Wendy (Robert), Carrie (Kirt), Wes (Stefanie), Clay (Lisa) and Ryan; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Paula; his brother Doug; his wife Deborah and his best friend and daughter Katie.

A memorial service will be held Friday, November 15, 2019 at 1 p.m. at the Kays Creek Stake Center at 2680 Cherry Ln, Layton UT. Friends may visit family from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. at the church.

Services entrusted to Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.