Byron Cole Williams

Byron Cole Williams, 95, passed away at his home in Ammon, Idaho on October 19, 2024, under the care of Heritage Hospice.

Byron was born on November 13, 1928, the third child of Jesse Green Williams and Bertie Cole Williams. His sister Berniece was three years old, and his brother Jesse Gray was 1 ½ years old when he was born. They lived with their parents on a 240-acre farm in Axson, Georgia. His mother died on January 23, 1932, just three weeks after giving birth to his baby sister, Mary Ann. A few years later his father, Jesse Green, married Irene Porter and together they had two sons, Jackie and Ronald. Byron’s loving grandmothers and aunts helped to mother him in Bertie’s absence.

Byron learned to milk cows, plow using mules, and later plow using a Farmall diesel tractor. Byron and Jesse Gray spent many hours swimming, fishing for catfish, and hunting for rabbits and quail. Byron was baptized when he was eight years old in the Satilla River. Bryon graduated from Pearson High School in Pearson, Georgia and later Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He was on the BYU Boxing Team before his mission and sang in the BYU Acapella Choir after his mission.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served two missions for the church. The first was as a young man in the Central Atlantic States Mission and the second was in retirement, with his wife, in the Georgia Macon Mission. Byron was called to serve as the stake president when the Charlotte, North Carolina Stake was created. He served for many years as the Regional Welfare Representative for the Church and as a temple worker in the Idaho Falls Temple.

Byron married the girl of his dreams, Karen Dee Baldwin, in the Idaho Falls Temple and they raised their children in Marietta, Georgia, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Idaho Falls, Idaho. Byron spent most of his career in sales.

Byron enjoyed gardening, eating good food, and reading history, especially church history. He also enjoyed hunting trips with his brothers. He is well known for his beautiful lawn and found joy in mowing it on the tractor right up until the end of his life.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Karen Dee Baldwin Williams of Ammon, Idaho; his children: Sharon Hitchner of Lakeland, Florida, Sheila (Brian) Brandenburg of Chantilly, Virginia, Shane (Sara) Williams of Iona, Idaho, Anna Williams of St. George, Utah, Cole (Tracy) Williams of Syracuse, Utah, and Krista (Rob) Smith of Mesa, Arizona: 21 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren; and his siblings: Mary Ann (Hal) Clarke of Provo, Utah and Jackie (Emelia) Williams of Destin, Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings: Berniece Williams Ricks-Boyle, Jesse Gray Williams, and Ronald Calvin Williams; and his grandson, Tyrell Jon “TJ” Larsen.

Thank you to QualiCare Home Care for their loving kindness during this past year and to Heritage Home Health and Hospice.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Stonehaven Ward Chapel, 2055 Coronado, Idaho Falls. The family will receive friends and relatives from 6-8:00 p.m., Friday, November 1, 2024, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls, and one hour prior to services at the church. Interment will be in the Moreland Cemetery in Moreland, Idaho. Online condolences may be sent to www.coltrinmortuary.com.