1937
Neville
2022
Neville Wesley Williams
September 14, 1937 — December 5, 2022
Neville Wesley “Wes” Williams passed away in his Logan, Utah home in the afternoon of December 5, 2022 after a lengthy struggle with a variety of health issues. His wife Ruth was faithfully by his side non-stop for the final three days of his earthly sojourn and was lovingly holding his hand with their little dog lying at his side at the time of his passing.
Wes was born in Iowa Falls, Iowa on September 14, 1937 to Laurel Wesley and Norma Irene (Nelson) Williams. He was the oldest of four boys. Gail, Roger and Myron would follow. His childhood was filled with a large variety of farm chores and hard work, such as early morning cow milking, pig slopping, egg gathering (often rewarded with a sharp peck from momma hen for his troubles), cow herding and pulling weeds… lots of pulling weeds. Growing up on the farm wasn’t all work. There was also time for fun and games with his brothers and neighbors. He also participated in the 4-H and FFA organizations that allowed him to save money for his education. Despite the difficulties and unpleasantness of some of these tasks, he cherished the experiences of growing up on a farm. He wrote “I am thankful for all these times. For learning the value of hard work, the importance of keeping my word, making Sunday a special day, the value of animal life and respect for my elders.”
After graduating from Iowa Falls High School in 1956, and over the course of a number of years, Wes attended several colleges and universities, including Iowa State College, Ellsworth Junior College, Utah State University and Brigham Young University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science (BYU) and a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Education (USU).
In December 1960 Wes was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Over the years and through many trials and challenges, his testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel grew strong and firm. He accepted many callings and positions in the church and served faithfully in them. He worked diligently on family history and attended the Temple faithfully throughout his life.
In December 1960, Wes married Joycelyn Hodgkinson and over the next 14 years they had five children together: Judlein, Cindy, Todd, Ross and Wendy.
On May 29, 1981 Wes and Ruth Yeoman, who had two teenage sons, David and Chris, were married. They enjoyed 41 years together. Over those years they shared many adventures, such as visiting Ruth’s family in her homeland of England. They also took their fifth-wheel to many beautiful and exciting destinations. Some of their favorite trips were those where they served as workampers. They would stay at lovely campsites and work to maintain the sites in trade for a campsite or paycheck. Some of their favorite places to visit were the Oregon coast and the northern California forests. They also worked as hired help at several ranches in Montana, once even being evacuated on account of a forest fire. Another wonderful adventure they shared together was when they served an 18 month service mission in Darby, Montana.
Throughout his adult life Wes worked a large variety of jobs. Among them included: U.S. Forest Service Fire Lookout, Chemistry Lab Technician at Hercules, Livestock Feed Salesman, Animal Health Products Salesman for Eli Lilly, Utah State Prison Guard and after earning his masters degree, a County Extension Agent in a number of different states and locations. These jobs and other circumstances resulted in his living in a great number of places throughout the United States and Canada including: Iowa, Washington, Utah, Manitoba Canada, Minnesota, and Montana. After an extended period of frequent relocation, Montana became the home state for Wes and Ruth where they remained for 26 years (albeit in a few different locations therein). They had truly found the place they called home. Even though they returned to the Cache Valley for, what turned out to be, the final 8 years of his life, to be closer to family, he still considered himself a Montanan.
Over the course of his life, Wes loved to serve others. Especially in his retirement years he was always finding ways to volunteer and serve individuals and his community. He served as a volunteer in elementary schools so the children learning to read could read to him. He volunteered with community groups that served the senior population by visiting those in nursing homes, delivering meals and groceries, donated money and time to families in need to ensure a meaningful Christmas and more.
Wes’ favorite hobby was geology. To anyone who would listen, he would proudly proclaim himself a “rock hound.” He would often make trips to locations to hunt for specific rocks and minerals and would always be on the lookout for something special while walking or hiking or otherwise enjoying the outdoors and would gladly engage with anyone who showed the slightest interest in the subject.
Wes loved his children very much and spent the winter months putting together photograph albums for each of his children. He found great solace in the mountains where he loved to hike, especially in Montana. He spent several summers for the forest service on Deer Mountain Lookout and it is there that his ashes will be scattered in the spring.
Wes is survived by his wife Ruth, children Judlein Duggins, Cindy (Scott) Bateman, Todd (Roxanne) Williams, Ross (Lauretta) Williams and Wendy, Ruth’s sons David Yeoman and Christopher (Tracie) Yeoman, 23 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father Laurel Wesley Williams, mother Norma Irene (Nelson) Williams, brothers Gail Norman Williams and Roger Nelson Williams.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 16, 2022 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints meeting house located at 792 North 500 East Logan, Utah.
For those not able to attend in person, the service can viewed over YouTube at the following address:
Main Stream: https://youtu.be/qvAQBcNdXPk
Backup Stream: https://youtu.be/La1d_p7ZkUk (will only be used if the main stream fails)
If sending flowers, please have them delivered to: 792 North 500 East Logan, UT 84321 on December 16, 2022.
We would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Mathews and to Wes’ hospice care givers, especially Heather and Michael, who provided gentle and loving care and friendship in his time of need. May God bless you.
Wes was born in Iowa Falls, Iowa on September 14, 1937 to Laurel Wesley and Norma Irene (Nelson) Williams. He was the oldest of four boys. Gail, Roger and Myron would follow. His childhood was filled with a large variety of farm chores and hard work, such as early morning cow milking, pig slopping, egg gathering (often rewarded with a sharp peck from momma hen for his troubles), cow herding and pulling weeds… lots of pulling weeds. Growing up on the farm wasn’t all work. There was also time for fun and games with his brothers and neighbors. He also participated in the 4-H and FFA organizations that allowed him to save money for his education. Despite the difficulties and unpleasantness of some of these tasks, he cherished the experiences of growing up on a farm. He wrote “I am thankful for all these times. For learning the value of hard work, the importance of keeping my word, making Sunday a special day, the value of animal life and respect for my elders.”
After graduating from Iowa Falls High School in 1956, and over the course of a number of years, Wes attended several colleges and universities, including Iowa State College, Ellsworth Junior College, Utah State University and Brigham Young University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science (BYU) and a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Education (USU).
In December 1960 Wes was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Over the years and through many trials and challenges, his testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel grew strong and firm. He accepted many callings and positions in the church and served faithfully in them. He worked diligently on family history and attended the Temple faithfully throughout his life.
In December 1960, Wes married Joycelyn Hodgkinson and over the next 14 years they had five children together: Judlein, Cindy, Todd, Ross and Wendy.
On May 29, 1981 Wes and Ruth Yeoman, who had two teenage sons, David and Chris, were married. They enjoyed 41 years together. Over those years they shared many adventures, such as visiting Ruth’s family in her homeland of England. They also took their fifth-wheel to many beautiful and exciting destinations. Some of their favorite trips were those where they served as workampers. They would stay at lovely campsites and work to maintain the sites in trade for a campsite or paycheck. Some of their favorite places to visit were the Oregon coast and the northern California forests. They also worked as hired help at several ranches in Montana, once even being evacuated on account of a forest fire. Another wonderful adventure they shared together was when they served an 18 month service mission in Darby, Montana.
Throughout his adult life Wes worked a large variety of jobs. Among them included: U.S. Forest Service Fire Lookout, Chemistry Lab Technician at Hercules, Livestock Feed Salesman, Animal Health Products Salesman for Eli Lilly, Utah State Prison Guard and after earning his masters degree, a County Extension Agent in a number of different states and locations. These jobs and other circumstances resulted in his living in a great number of places throughout the United States and Canada including: Iowa, Washington, Utah, Manitoba Canada, Minnesota, and Montana. After an extended period of frequent relocation, Montana became the home state for Wes and Ruth where they remained for 26 years (albeit in a few different locations therein). They had truly found the place they called home. Even though they returned to the Cache Valley for, what turned out to be, the final 8 years of his life, to be closer to family, he still considered himself a Montanan.
Over the course of his life, Wes loved to serve others. Especially in his retirement years he was always finding ways to volunteer and serve individuals and his community. He served as a volunteer in elementary schools so the children learning to read could read to him. He volunteered with community groups that served the senior population by visiting those in nursing homes, delivering meals and groceries, donated money and time to families in need to ensure a meaningful Christmas and more.
Wes’ favorite hobby was geology. To anyone who would listen, he would proudly proclaim himself a “rock hound.” He would often make trips to locations to hunt for specific rocks and minerals and would always be on the lookout for something special while walking or hiking or otherwise enjoying the outdoors and would gladly engage with anyone who showed the slightest interest in the subject.
Wes loved his children very much and spent the winter months putting together photograph albums for each of his children. He found great solace in the mountains where he loved to hike, especially in Montana. He spent several summers for the forest service on Deer Mountain Lookout and it is there that his ashes will be scattered in the spring.
Wes is survived by his wife Ruth, children Judlein Duggins, Cindy (Scott) Bateman, Todd (Roxanne) Williams, Ross (Lauretta) Williams and Wendy, Ruth’s sons David Yeoman and Christopher (Tracie) Yeoman, 23 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father Laurel Wesley Williams, mother Norma Irene (Nelson) Williams, brothers Gail Norman Williams and Roger Nelson Williams.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 16, 2022 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints meeting house located at 792 North 500 East Logan, Utah.
For those not able to attend in person, the service can viewed over YouTube at the following address:
Main Stream: https://youtu.be/qvAQBcNdXPk
Backup Stream: https://youtu.be/La1d_p7ZkUk (will only be used if the main stream fails)
If sending flowers, please have them delivered to: 792 North 500 East Logan, UT 84321 on December 16, 2022.
We would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Mathews and to Wes’ hospice care givers, especially Heather and Michael, who provided gentle and loving care and friendship in his time of need. May God bless you.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Neville Wesley Williams, please visit our flower store.
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