Kenneth C Williams passed away peacefully, in his sleep, on September 23, 2021, at home in Payson, Utah.
Ken was born in Pima, Arizona, in 1931, and moved to California early in his life. He was an accomplished gymnast and swimmer and lettered in both sports. It was at a swim camp where he met and fell in love with his sweetheart, Grace. They lived and raised their children in Huntington Park, California, and were sealed as a family, for time and all eternity, in the Los Angeles, California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in November 1961.
Ken was a long-haul truck driver by trade. He was an avid golfer and loved hiking, camping, and fishing. Ken loved his family deeply and made sure that, even though he was away a lot for work, he made up for it when he was home. He took his wife, children; and eventually, his grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, on camping and hiking trips to Mammoth Lakes, Yosemite, and Yellowstone. He also took them all on houseboat trips on Lake Shasta and waterskiing trips to Lake Nacimento and Pyramid Lake.
He enjoyed riding dirt bikes and took his family on many motorcycle trips to Gorman and other places throughout California. Spending time at the family ranch, in Atascadero, California, was a regular thing each year and allowed Ken to take his family on day trips to San Simeon, Montano de Oro, Morro Bay, and Pismo Beach, where they would play on the sand dunes, find treasure in the tide pools, and sea fish from the cliffs and jetties.
Ken was a trickster who loved a good prank and never missed out on big family water fights. He loved gardening and growing his own food. He had very fruitful gardens in both California and Utah.
He was a man of service and never waited to be asked to help or lend a hand. He served as ward clerk under several bishops in different wards, and served a retiree mission at the LDS Church Granary in Utah.
Ken and Grace retired to Payson, Utah, in the early nineties, after purchasing a historic Utah home from his Uncle and Aunt, Lawrence and Thora Woodhouse. The home stands on two acres with an orchard, a rose garden, creek, sweeping lawns, beautiful weeping willow trees, and the oldest living Chinese Elm tree in Utah County. Ken and Grace have been very happy there and have loved tending to the land and having a home where their large family could gather for holidays, vacations, visits, and somewhere to stay, if they needed a place to sleep. Their home has been the family Mecca since they moved there.
We’ve all been so blessed and grateful to have him in our lives and we will take comfort in all of our wonderful memories of him. He loved Perry Mason and Bonanza, British TV humor, Red Wing Shoes, short-sleeved pocket shirts, the color brown, a cold Dr. Pepper, a good homemade sandwich, sappy Red Sovine country songs, Louis L’Amour western novels, and simple bread and milk as a meal.
We all miss him terribly; but, we all know we will see him again.
He is survived by his wife, Grace; daughters, Christine and Pamela; sons, Robert and Philip; sister, Diane (brother-in-law, Cal); nine grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and extended family. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Philip and Bertha; brother, Marlin (Bud) and sister-in-law, Mickee; brother, Grant; sister-in-law, Leah; father-in-law, Robert, and mother-in-law, Emily.
There will be a graveside service at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 9, 2021, at Payson City Cemetery, 400 North 800 East, Payson, Utah, 84651.
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