1923-2012
Joseph LaVon Williams, 89, passed away August 7, 2012 in Arco, Idaho.
He was born on May 13, 1923 in the Mormon Colonies of Colonia Dublan, Chihuahua, Mexico. He was the oldest son of Joseph F and Evelena Spencer Williams and was called “LaVon” by his family and “Joe” by his friends and co-workers
In 1929, his family left Mexico and moved to Arizona, Utah, and Oregon, and then back to Utah attending school in the places they lived. He attended high school in Vale, OR and Provo, UT often quitting school to work to help support the family. He received his high school diploma from Provo High School in May 1944 while serving in the US Navy.
He met his wife of 67 years, Betty Iverson McVey, in 1942 when both of them were traveling on a Greyhound bus. He gave her his number with the promise of a call when both returned to Utah after the holidays. They were married on March 23, 1945 in the Salt Lake City Temple during WWII while he was home on a 15-day leave.
His naval service during WWII (1943-1945) was in both the European and Pacific Theatre of War. He attended training in San Diego, CA and Norfolk, VA and was a Torpedoman’s Mate Third Class aboard the USS Hobson (DD-424) Destroyer and USS Charles F. Hughes (DD-428) Destroyer. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, in Normandy France, his ship at Utah Beach fired at German shore batteries and rescued survivors from the water. September 2, 1945, his ship in Tokyo Bay, listened to the broadcast of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender. He received an Honorable Discharge November 27, 1945 and returned home meeting his bride, Betty, in Utah to finally start their lives together.
Joe had careers in farming, ranching and construction. His first construction job, at age 18, was at the Geneva Steel Mill in Utah. He worked as a Journeyman Carpenter and Journeyman Millwright and retired as a Journeyman Pipefitter in 1983. The majority of his construction work was at the Site in the Arco Desert. Work also took him to Montana, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, and Oregon, and then to Alaska during the pipeline days, working as foreman to build Pump Station #5 near Jim River and jobs at Prudhoe Bay. Betty and Joe moved to the Lost River Valley in 1954 and have maintained a home there for the last 58 years.
Joe was a Lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars – Post 7137 (serving since 1961) He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints serving with Betty as a Home-teacher, Scout Merit badge counselor, Idaho Falls Temple worker, Stake Missionary and Welcome Greeters at the door. He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and sailing. His favorite past time was going for a ride, always taking the back roads looking for mushrooms, watercress, berries, wildlife and swimming holes to enjoy with his family. When possible he attended his children’s and grandchildren many activities right up to the last months of his life.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Lue: children: Barry (Camille) of Anchorage, AK; Spencer (Valorie) Twin Falls, ID; Michael (Dorothy) Moore, ID: Tim (Ardith) Arco, ID; Susan Fuger (Don) Pocatello, ID: Joseph (Deena) Hurricane, UT; Lucy Rojas (Tony) Moore, ID; sister’s Josie Rowley, Cedar City, UT; Velma Skidmore, Manhattan, KS; Elva Barnhart Atomic City, ID; 35 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his daughter, Amanda Eunice, his parents, 5 sisters, and 3 brothers. What a grand reunion they are having!
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Aug 18, 2012 at 1 pm at the Arco LDS Church with a viewing one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Arco with Military rites. A viewing will also be held at the Lost River Funeral Home, 345 Sunset Dr. in Arco, Idaho on Friday evening, August 17, 2012 from 7-9 pm.