Donald Burtis Williams (1942-2020) passed from this life on Sunday October 4th after a long struggle with cancer. He died peacefully at home in Santaquin, Utah, with his loving wife at his side. He is survived by his wife, four children, 11 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
He was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in December 1942. He grew up with his grandmother and graduated from Portage High School in 1961. He enlisted and served in the United States Air Force from 1961-1965. He attended Brigham Young University and Madison University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in History.
He married the love of his live, Margaret Ellen Kusel, in October 1966. He joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple three years later. He was blessed with four children: Jeffery (Jeff) Burtis (1969), Timothy (Tim) Bryan (1971), Dorlena (Dory) Leona (1972), and Damon Augustus (1974).
His vocation spanned many fields of endeavor over the course of his lifetime. He especially enjoyed LDS gospel topics and wrote 5 books: The Coming Storm & Redemption, Celestial Plural Marriage & Worlds without end, Slavery in Utah, Zion the Pure in Heart, and A Source for Sacrament Talks & Church History.
He served in many callings in the LDS church in his lifetime, was always eager to serve the needs around him, and enjoyed serving in the temple.
His hobbies included his orchard, where he would donate the fruit to local food banks; dinosaurs, and all things related; driving bus and shuttle services; any/all carpentry, eager to help family and friends with anything they needed.
Thank you to all, including family and Encompass Hospice, for their dedication to his care in the last months of his life.
He was an honorable man who lived with religious conviction. He was a hard worker and a loving and devoted husband and father. He leaves a void in the lives of his legacy, those he has left behind. He goes now to see the dinosaurs, all his loved ones who have passed on before him, and will continue in his Heavenly Father’s service.
1 Condolence for Donald Burtis Williams
Condolence(1)
Laura says
October 8, 2020 at 8:01 pmThe Davis Crew sends prayers of peace and comfort to your family during this very tender time.