Thomas "TV" Verd Williams

I was born at the family home in Layton, Utah to Florence Nora Wall and William Verd Williams. on February 14, 1928.  I was fortunate to grow up in Layton in a large family of six brothers and two sisters.  Except for temporary absences for military, and career, and fun, my life was spent within a quarter mile of where I was born.   

I married my life partner Joanne Hastings, January 2, 1947 and we  built a home near my birthplace where we raised our five children.

I began my long and productive career with the U.S. Navy aboard the Aircraft Carrier Valley Forge USA as an aircraft mechanic, followed by employment at Hill Air Force Base for 28 years. After government retirement I had the opportunity to explore other work endeavors in building construction and oil exploration.

My interests were many, but always centered around family and friends, a fondness for horses and all things associated with horseracing, earning me the moniker “Oracle of the Wasatch” among my friends.

My life has been a great adventure and I want to thank all of you who enhanced it along the way.

Please don’t let my passing be sad. I’ve just moved to a sun belt track. My life has been the best to be had. You needn’t spend any time at the cemetery.  I’ll be at the bar or other happy place, where the banter is lively filled with controversy.

Look for me along any trail

I’ll always save you a space

I’ll be there when you saddle a horse

I’ll be riding along with a story to tell

Please join in the laughter whatever the source

You’ll know I’m there whenever you hear me yell hey!

I’ll be there with the morning breeze

I’ll be at the paddock to look at the stock

Rest assured, I’ll be a part of your dreams and

I’ll always be with you at the winner’s circle dock

I am survived by two daughters, Carol Kelley (Duane), Jana Hiner, my son Jim Williams (Susan), my siblings Florence Hohman, Lloyd Williams (Laura), eight grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.  I was preceded in death by my wife Joanne, my daughters, Colleen and Denise, my parents, four brothers and a sister.

At my request there will be no funeral service.  I intend to begin my last best adventure by actively participating in an anatomy study at the University of Utah (The end result hopefully furthering the cure for cancer).  Once my final adventure is concluded, my life will be celebrated with a gathering of

family and friends, Date and time to be announced at a later date.