Russell Williams

RUSSELL GARDNER WILLIAMS

1929-2014

Russell Gardner Williams passed away in the early morning on May 7, 2014. He was born March 19, 1929 in Salt Lake City to Lewis Thomas Williams and Lucile Gardner Williams. He shared a happy childhood growing up in the Avenues of Salt Lake with his older brother, Keith and younger sister, Marie. He attended Ensign Elementary, Bryant Junior High and East High in Salt Lake City.

From 1948 - 1950, he served as a missionary in the New England States Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On June 25, 1951, he married Dorothy Russell in the Salt Lake Temple. They were married for 62 years and are the parents of five children. He graduated with a degree in History from the University of Utah in 1952.

Russell served faithfully in his church as a Bishop of the Rose Park 6th Ward, Stake President of the Salt Lake Grant Stake and a Counselor in the Kaysville East Stake Presidency. He cherished serving as an Ordinance Worker in the Bountiful Utah Temple with his wife, Dorothy. One of his greatest desires was to be remembered as a faithful home teacher.

Russell was fulfilled in his professional career and enjoyed the privilege of diverse experiences. He taught school in the Granite School District, worked as the Personnel Director for Associated Foods as well as Managing Director of Personnel for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. One of his greatest accomplishments was serving as ASPA (American Society for Public Administration) president in 1976. Later in his career, he went into business for himself and started a consulting business, Williams Associates.

Russell loved sports. He was an avid fan of the University of Utah's football and basketball teams. He had season tickets for many years and rarely missed a game. He truly was "A Utah Man".

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Keith, sister Marie, daughter Jeannette, his in-laws Howard and LaRue Russell and many other family and friends. He is survived by his spouse, Dorothy, his children Grant (Sandy), David, Jeff (Laura) and Jan (Neal) Smith, 10 grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and another soon to be born.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at Avalon Care Center, Bristol Hospice and Utah Senior Planning.

Funeral services will be held Monday May 12, at 11:00 am at the Stone Creek LDS Chapel, 1475 North 300 West Bountiful, Utah. A viewing will be held at Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary 727 North 400 East Bountiful, Utah on Sunday, May 11 from 6:00-8:00 pm and Monday before the service from 9:30-10:30 am at Stone Creek LDS Chapel. Interment in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.  Condolences may be shared at www.lindquistmortuary.com