L Garth Willie

Dr. Leon Garth Willie, age 92, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. A man known for his vibrant spirit of laughter and joy, passed away peacefully at McKay-Dee Hospital surrounded by his family. Leaving behind a legacy of kindness, friendship, faith, and wisdom. He had countless adages such as:

“Be pretty if you are, Be witty if you can, but Be cheerful‒‒even if it kills you.”

Born and raised in Ogden, Utah to Leon Gray and Thelma Gazella Malin Willie. Garth spent his formative years in the city he would call home. He graduated from Ogden High School and began his college studies at Weber State College before attending the University of Utah. He went on to attend Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH, earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree.

Garth proudly served his country as a Captain in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Smyrna, Tennessee. His deep patriotism was evident throughout his life. Upon completion of his military service, he returned home to Ogden and established a dental practice that would span 38 years. For a period, he served as the President of the Weber County Dental Board.

Garth’s life was defined by his love of knowledge. He was a voracious reader and lover of history, and his conversations reflected a sharp mind and curious spirit. Garth and Norma had a passion for traveling, meeting new people, and learning about new places and cultures. It was too often (for his children’s concerns) that he would meet a stranger in his travels, and become his friend, and end up having dinner in his home. He was a man with a heart as warm as the sun and a smile just as big.

Those who knew him will remember his infectious laughter, witty, humor, and spontaneous‒‒singing especially in the dental chair. His creative nicknames for his children and grandchild reflected his joyful nature and deep affection.

Married for 68 years, Garth and Norma began their union on August 19, 1955, in the Salt Lake Temple. Norma was and is the love of his life. She was by his side through their days in Ohio, Tennessee, and then settling in Ogden, Utah. They raised four children together, David (Brenda) Willie, Carlsbad CA; Paige (Roger) Bird, New Albany, OH; Kent (Deona) Willie, Smithfield, UT; and Dana (Steve) Scharmann, Ogden, Utah.

Garth liked to consider himself a “Gentleman farmer” at his home in North Ogden. After retirement he tended diligently to his orchard, cultivated his love of gardening and beautifying his expansive yard. He could often be found on his tractor plowing the orchard and taught his children the value of hard work and love of the outdoors.

A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Garth served faithfully as Bishop of the North Ogden 3rd Ward and later in the North Ogden Stake Presidency. He and Norma served a fulltime mission together at the Kirtland Visitors Center in Kirtland, Ohio.

His infectious personality lives on in the countless lives he touched. We will forever miss his style of telling jokes and the special nature of his ability to teach life lessons with humor and wisdom.

In addition to his immediate family, Garth leaves behind 15 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Lichfield Willie; parents Leon Gray and Thelma Gazelle Malin Willie; sisters, Beth (Darell) Johnson and Marilyn (Raymond) Baird.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Shadow Mountain Ward, 5191 Old Post Road, Ogden, Utah. 

Friends may visit with family on Friday, May 30th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Rd.

Condolences may be shared at: www.lindquistmortuary.com.

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