On Saturday, March 1, 2014, John fell and hit his head. Jamie took him to the hospital where they discovered a brain bleed. His health had been declining rapidly the last few years. He was on oxygen and was becoming more and more limited in terms of mobility and just even staying awake. It was so sad to see him, once so strong become so frail and thin. Jamie took such good care of him, he was proud and wasn’t always a very cooperative charge, but she did everything she could to help him. I can only imagine how scary, exhausting and lonely it has been for both John and Jamie these last few years.
The first time I met John was shortly after Brennan and I got engaged. John was in town for business and Brennan was out of town for work, so John took me to lunch. I was so nervous, but he was so polite and such a gentleman I quickly relaxed. I remember him talking about Jamie and many of her accomplishments. It was obvious he was so proud of her, I thought that was sweet. John was always good to me.
Shortly before we got married my parents invited John and Jamie to dinner at our house. It was probably only the 2nd or 3rd time I’d met them and the first time my parents met them. It was going fairly well. My brother, Christian, came upstairs and met John and Jamie for a few minutes and then excused himself as he had to go somewhere. A few minutes later, a very pale Christian stood came back in and motioned for me. I followed him to another room where he told me he backed into John and Jamie’s new car. I could have died. Poor Christian was beside himself. I went in and motioned for Brennan and we filled him in. He kind of laughed but wasn’t very helpful in predicting how John and Jamie would react. It was finally time to face the music, so we accompanied Christian into the dining room where he confessed his crime. John and Jamie both laughed and the three of us took a collective breathe of relief. It was so nice, it could have been so awful, but they were so gracious. I will remember and be grateful for that moment forever.
John was so game about visiting us in Arizona and then here after we moved. He was generous and always spoiled us by picking up the tab at dinner which was always such a treat for us. Whenever he and Jamie came into town we all looked forward to dinner at The Olive Garden.
John preferred to stick to things he knew and liked over variety. I relate to that, especially in eating. He loved my short ribs and so whenever they visited I always made them. I always worried about them getting sick of them, but I don’t think he ever did.
I’m grateful that he is free from ill health and discomfort that have plagued him these last few years. I’m grateful that sweet Jamie doesn’t have to worry about him anymore.
Goodbye, Grandpa John!
Emily wrote his obituary:
(July 16, 1946 – March 1, 2014)
John Steven Williams passed away on March 1, 2014 at Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, Utah. He was born July 16, 1946 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Silva Tayler and Howard Williams and the youngest of 4 brothers, Dick, Jim and Tom.
As a child John’s mischievous nature and ability to find trouble tested the limitations of his parents’ patience. John enjoyed playing football and baseball. Graduating from East High School in Salt Lake City and attending Weber State College. He graduated with honors from SUU, majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting and Economics.
In 1970, John married Rebecca Yager and had the privilege of having two girls, Lori and Emily. Then through a later marriage he gained a son, Gerald.
He married the love of his life Jamie Spendlove on October 14, 1989. They enjoyed many years of traveling to Europe, Guatemala, China, Greece and Hawaii. Together they welcomed 13 grandchildren into their lives, who they loved and cherished.
In September of 1978, John was appointed as Executive Director of the Five County Association of Government. John was only the third person to serve in that capacity. John worked tirelessly throughout the 27 ½ years. John, along with the Five County Association of Government’s directed the evolution of the Association from an emphasis in unification of social services programs, to the creation of the Southwest Utah Public Health Department and the Southwest Mental Health Center, and to planning for anticipated, and later realized, growth in Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane and Washington counties.
During the 1990’s John helped the Association emphasize community and economic development projects, including corporate recruiting and corporate expansion. He played a key role in helping to bring the Wal-Mart distribution center to the region as well as the development of other industrial parks and businesses in this region. Under John, the Association took a prominent role in addressing population growth issues, public lands issues, metropolitan transportation planning, rural transportation delivery, and human services programs.
He is survived by his wife, Jamie Spendlove Williams; two daughters, Lori (Tony) Leonard and their three children, Michael, Zachary and Hailey, and Emily (Paul) Gates and their four children, Sean, Shea, Sheldon and Mya; son, Gerald (Teshia) Williams and their children Alexis Wyatt, Brendon, Abby and Ethan Williams; stepsons, Brett (Julie) Wright and Brennan (Andrea) Wright and their five children, Anna, Abby, Nate, Benjamin and Joshua; and also his three brothers, Dick, Jim and Tom Williams.
Funeral Services
- Funeral services will be held Friday, March 7, 2014 at noon in the Riesley Chapel, 630 Riesling Ave., Santa Clara, UT.
- There will be a viewing Friday from 10:30 a.m. until time of service at the chapel.
- Interment will take place in the Tonaquint Cemetery.
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