Cover photo for Harold Williams's Obituary
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1946 Harold 2019

Harold Williams

September 23, 1946 — June 6, 2019

Harold Lyle Williams was able to run again for the first time in decades, after leaving his temporal life and going to be with Jesus on June 6, 2019, passing away at age 72. Harold passed on to eternity while admitted at the Ogden Regional Hospital, surrounded by family, loved ones and stories of memories past.

Born September 23, 1946 in Ogden Utah to Harold Lloyd and Phyllis Williams.

Harold left high school and became part of a brotherhood of men by joining the United States Marine Corp in 1964. Shortly after joining, he would soon leave to serve his country in the Vietnam War. Harold fought courageously with honor and valor and was decorated with many metals to include the Purple Heart. He finished his duty honorably before leaving the Corp in 1968 as rank of Sergeant.

The war took an unmeasurable toll on his life, of which he would spend the majority of the rest of it, trying to overcome the demons it produced. He rarely spoke of Vietnam and kept much of the horrors to himself, burying it deep within and bearing it's burden alone. It is with great joy that I announce that he did finally find his peace and the healing he deserved. This came by means of an everlasting love and grace he found through a living breathing relationship with his Savior. He was able to testify first hand that God is "still" in the business of changing lives. It saved his and it softened him and refined him throughout the later decades of his life.

For most of his life, Harold had a short fuse and a very gruff exterior, definitely rough around the edges to say the least. He was the toughest man I've ever known. He was hard to be married to and even harder to live with. Yet inside, he was tender and fragile and genuine, with a heart of gold. He was loving and kind and had such a sweet spirit to be around, but you wouldn't know it if you hadn't learned the beautiful intricacies of how to read and recognize his softer and finer side. He made many mistakes and was imperfect at best, but he loved his children and grand children without limits, this I know for sure.

Harold was married once, prior to meeting the woman that would undoubtedly end up being his saving grace. Harold and Ilene were married after meeting at work, while both working for the railroad. They were wed on November 1, 1980 in Las Vegas Nevada. Defying all odds, they married after knowing each other for merely 2 weeks. Bets were taken throughout the railroad as to if the marriage would last. Harold passed away just shy of their 40th anniversary. Wonder if anyone is still around to collect on that bet.

Harold spoke often about how Ilene was the greatest thing that ever happened to him, and in all of the ways that were his own, loved her above all else. Ilene ended up being more than his love and partner in life but would serve in the capacity as care giver to all of Harold's many ailments. In 1999, Harold underwent a lung transplant that gave him a new lease on life. With this new lease, Harold pursued the things that he enjoyed most. Spending time with his bride during the silver years, fishing, driving in nature, vacationing, playing video games with the grandkids and golf were some of the things he enjoyed. One Sunday, after filling in on a pinch, he spent the next 10 years serving in capacity as Sunday school teacher to children, which he dedicated much devotion to and really loved.

Harold lived out the last few years of his life sacrificially to the extreme, surviving excruciating pain and insurmountable suffering, hanging on merely to be able to be around, enjoy and watch his newest grandchildren grow. To make sure his family would be alright after his departure and that his precious bride would be cared for. In retrospect, it truly was a selfless and beautiful thing to have witnessed.

Harold was the embodiment that life is messy, full of pain, regret, redemption and joy. Through the atoning blood that was shed on the cross, he has passed into salvation where all of the craziness of life is water under the bridge, in the past.  He has traded in a body that has not functioned for a very long time, an oxygen machine no longer needed, radiation treatments and a list of medications to make your head spin all for a new body and new life. He has become the new embodiment of Isaiah 40:31."Those who wait upon the Lord will find new strength. They will soar on high with wings as eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."

So run Harold, run! As you did when you were younger, like we all remember.

Your legacy will live on in all of us that knew and love you. Anxiously awaiting that day when we will see each other again.

Graveside services will be held Wednesday, June 12, 2019 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.  Friends may visit family Wednesday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.

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Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

12:30 - 1:30 pm

Lindquist's Layton Mortuary

1867 N Fairfield Rd, Layton, UT 84041

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Graveside Service

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Starts at 2:00 pm

Lindquist's Memorial Park at Layton

1867 N Fairfield Rd, Layton, UT 84041

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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