Leonard Williams

Merton "Leonard" Williams, 88, passed away peacefully at home Saturday, April 14, 2018 surrounded by many loved ones. Leonard was born on March 28, 1930 in Pocatello, Idaho, the first baby born to Merton Elsworth and Alice Lucile Locke Williams. After his first birthday, they moved to Imperial Valley, California to seek work, picking peas during the Great Depression. Work was scare and his parents decided if they were going to die from hunger, they would just as soon go back to Idaho to die. They packed up and moved to Salmon, Idaho and lived on a ranch. After there, they moved to North Fork, Idaho for two years and back to Pocatello. Leonard attended school at Emerson Elementary, Irving Junior High and graduated from Pocatello High School in 1948 and was an accomplished clarinetist, playing in the Pocatello Pep Band. After graduation, he joined the United States Navy and served during the Korean War. He was stationed in Bremerton, WA and San Diego, California. Leonard met his wife, Janet Van Sickel in Bremerton and they were married on June 18, 1950. Two years later after an honorable discharge, he, Janet and their infant son, Randy, returned to Pocatello where they had three more children, Gregory Thomas, Jeffrey Lynn and Kathie JoAnne and raised their family in the Pocatello and Tyhee area. While attending Idaho State College, Leonard went to work for WyzWay Food Market, Lionel Jensen Texaco Station, and Union Pacific Railroad. After college, he joined the J.R. Simplot Company and worked as a purchasing manager for 27 years for the Minerals and Chemical Division. Throughout his life, Leonard loved to spend time with his family including camping, fishing, hunting, and gardening. In 1981 the family built a cabin in Island Park where they enjoyed water skiing, snowmobiling and four-wheeling. Leonard and Janet also loved to travel in their motor home and visited many places across the United States. All who knew Leonard loved his kind heart and his loyalty to his friends. His genuine personality made him many life-long friends of all ages. He was a family man who loved unconditionally and he will be greatly missed. He is survived by his children, Randy (Betty) of Middleton, Greg of Far West, Jeff (Kim) of Idaho Falls and Kathie Chase (Paul) of Pocatello; Grampa Leonard has 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Tom,; sister, Lois Jane Buchanan; granddaughter, Heather Anne Beard; and great-grandson, Henry Chase Frampton. A viewing will be held Thursday, April 19, 2018 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at Colonial Funeral Home, located at 2005 S. 4th Ave. Pocatello, Idaho. Funeral Services will be at 3 p.m. on Friday, April 20, 2018, with a viewing for one hour prior, also at Colonial Funeral Home.

Visitation

04/20/2018 14:00

15:00:00

Central Cemetery

Anderson Road

Grace

Idaho





Visitation

04/19/2018 18:00

19:30:00

Colonial Chapel

2005 S 4th Ave

Pocatello

Idaho

83201



Funeral Service

04/20/2018 15:00



Colonial Chapel

2005 S 4th Ave

Pocatello

Idaho

83201