George Williams Jr.

George R Williams (Jr.), age 89, passed away on Saturday, December 18, 2021. He was born on October, 23, 1932 in Blackfoot, Idaho to George R (Sr.) and Tacy Elizabeth Winmill Williams. He married Deon Robinson, his loving wife of 65 years, in the St. George Temple on August 13, 1955.

George was adventurous, fun, witty, and had a good sense of humor. He was an extremely hard worker. When asked by family and friends how he was doing, he often would playfully respond with, “I’m mean and ornery and hard to get along with” despite that the truth was quite the opposite. George cheerfully hummed or whistled as he hauled countless loads of hay during the summers; gathered wood and cut posts in the southern Utah hills; and regularly helped the people of Enterprise with work around their homes and yards. He frequently said there was no better place to live than in southern Utah. George was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, where he served in several positions, including Scoutmaster, Choir Director, in Enterprise Second Ward Bishopric, and in the Enterprise Stake High Council. He loved music, enjoyed participating in the ward choir, and he frequently sang at church and community events with his wife, Deon, playing the piano for him.

As a young adult, George joined the 213th Field Artillery Unit of the National Guard and was called to serve in the Korean War, where he received a Purple Heart award. Afterward, he served as an LDS missionary in the Great Lakes Mission. He completed Bachelor and Master of Education degrees in Cedar City at the institution that is now Southern Utah University. George enjoyed a 32-year career as a youth educator, including 25-years as a memorable 5th grade teacher at the Enterprise Elementary School.

George is survived by his sisters, Lola Glazier (Jerry) and Norma Bettridge; children Patricia Melessa (Steve), Tacy Golightly (Rick), Terri Draper (Brian), DJ Williams (Sally), and Malin Williams (Jane); 34 grandchildren, and 56 great-grandchildren. George was preceded in death by his parents and 12 siblings, including sister Dora Blake. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Deon; and great-grandson, Jalen Melessa.

The Williams family would like to express gratitude to the caregivers at Spring Gardens Senior Living and Zions Way Hospice for the kind, loving way they cared for George.

A funeral service will be held at the Enterprise Stake Center on Thursday, December 23, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. A viewing will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., also at the Enterprise Stake Center, prior to the funeral service. Wearing a mask is strongly encouraged. Interment will occur at the Enterprise City Cemetery.

This service will be live-streamed, please click on the link below.