Farrel Williams

Farrel Jay Williams, 86, returned to his Heavenly home on January 6, 2016, where he was once again reunited with his forever sweetheart, Loretta. Together, they started their eternal journey hand in hand to greet long awaited loved ones.

He was born on March 27, 1929 in Malad, Idaho to John and Eleanor Williams. He was always surrounded with fun growing up in a household of 10 siblings. He spent his childhood years farming alongside his dad, riding horses, and playing sports. As he grew up, he soon found himself taking on the role as his father’s secondhand while his four older brothers were away at war. After graduating from Malad High School in 1947, he attended Snow College for two years. He played baseball and football while pursuing his education at Snow. He returned home for a short time to work on the farm and at JN Ireland Bank.  He then returned to finish his education at the University of Utah and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business. While there, he was an AAU boxer which gave him the opportunity to use his skills he had obtained in his youth from many brotherly brawls. The highlight of his college years was when he met, and later married, the love of his life, Loretta Mae Hills. They started their journey on September 4, 1955. Farrel got his first teaching job at Kearns Jr. High where he taught for four years. During this time, he and Loretta established their home in Salt Lake City and began their family. Three boys came quickly into their lives and their little Williams’ team began to form.

After spending many of their summers living in Malad to help work the farm, it was time for the “team” to relocate closer to the farm. In 1960 Farrel and Loretta moved to Tremonton and brought their family to a perfect little red brick home. He started his teaching at Bear River High where he taught: Secretarial Science, Math, Accounting, and Type for 36 years. Many of those years were spent teaching right next door to his beloved wife.

Although he enjoyed teaching, his true passion was found in coaching. He became involved in the Bear River High Athletic Department and served as a coach for many sports. He spent 15 years coaching softball, girls and boys basketball, and volleyball. Through his years as a coach at Bear River, he had many great accomplishments. Not only were there countless championships and the award of being named coach of the year, but life lessons and acts of love were given to all who crossed his path. Even after his retirement from teaching and coaching, he still remained the most loyal Bear fan around. He could always be found with a bag of popcorn, a cold Pepsi, and his Bear River hat sitting in the stands.

His life has always been focused around his number one team, his family. No one loved their family more. He could be found coaching grandkids, watching dance recitals, hosting Sunday dinner, vacations to the cabin, and going for a bite to eat with them. He also enjoyed many hobbies which included: gardening, mowing his lawn, farming, feeding the horses, decorating his yard and home for Christmas, and meeting up with his friends at the coffee shop.

Farrel was preceded in death by his sweetheart Loretta, stillborn son Randy Jay, his parents, three brothers, and two sisters. His surviving roster includes his children: Allen (Sheri) Williams, Jeffrey Williams, Mark (Sandy) Williams, and his forever daughter-in-law Tereasa Williams Stokes. A brother Dale Williams, and sisters Bonnie Davis, Eddis Wright, and Eleanor Redington. He also leaves legacy for 15 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held on Monday, January 11, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. at the Tremonton Stake Center located at 660 North 300 East, Tremonton. A viewing will precede the services from 10:00-11:30 am. A viewing will also be held on Sunday, January 10, 2016 at the Tremonton Stake Center from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Interment will be at the Tremonton Cemetery following the services.

An excellent coach is hard to find, difficult to part with, and impossible to forget. Our dad and grandpa was exactly that. Not only did he make a lasting impression with his students, players, and in his community, but most importantly within the walls of that little red brick house. This is where he coached the greatest game of his life. His legacy will live on through the hearts of his posterity as the Williams’ team grows and honors the love, values, and traditions he instilled in us. We invite you to help us honor our coach by wearing his favorite Bear River colors: red, white, and black to the services. We love you coach!  Go Bears!