Kenneth L Williams was one of many unsung people who grew up with the changing West. Descendant of a pioneering Ogden family, his life spanned the arc from rural community to a modern society. He passed on July 3, 2018, in Salt Lake.
Ken was born on August 8, 1924 to Lloyd Williams and Helen Lynham Williams. His father represented the family business, Shupe Williams Candy. The family moved to Salt Lake in the early thirties, residing on Thirteenth East.
Growing up on Salt Lake's foothills lead to a love of outdoor activities and sports. Ken attended East High School. Upon 1943 graduation, he attended the University of Utah. He joined the Sigma Chi fraternity, with his two best friends, the late Keith Ellertson and T.G. ‘Bud' Mahas. Ken was extremely proud to have sung with the Sigma Chi quartet, whose members included Wayne Wiscomb and President Russ Nielsen. At Utah he played football under Coach Ike Armstrong. He lettered in tennis, actively skied, and golfed. These relationships cemented Ken's life long affiliation with the University. A stalwart Ute, in later years Ken confessed to following BYU, when Utah was not playing.
A Marine Corp veteran, he married Helen (Jones) Williams in 1949, later divorced. The couple had two sons - Kenneth L Williams Jr ( 1951 - ) and Wick R Williams, PhD (1952-1989.) Ken worked for G. D. Searle in 1955. In 1968, he became a stockbroker, eventually retiring as Boise's E. F. Hutton branch manager in 1989.
Ken established a home in St. George, Utah. In 1996 he married Mary Sandberg. She passed in 2010. Since 2012, Ken lived in Salt Lake.
During his life, Ken was active in several organizations. Among these, Crane Creek Country Club, the Arid Club, The University of Utah's athletic alumni organizations and Medical School. He served on the Board, and chaired, Idaho's Golf for Charity. He served on the Board of Sinclair Oil for a brief period. Ken and Mary were active in the Arts community in St George.
Ken is survived by his son, Kenneth L Williams Jr, his grandson Koben L Williams, granddaughters Drew Elaine Williams and Lenna E Williams, great-granddaughter Annie S. Larned. and his companion, Jean Miltenberger
Services shall be held on July 12, 2018 at Highland Cove, 3750 Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. A viewing at 1:00 pm, with memorial service at 2:00 pm. A graveside service shall be held at the Morris Hill Cemetery, at 2:00 pm, in Boise, Idaho, on July 14, 2018.
