Richard "Bruce" Williams passed away Sunday, August 6, 2023 with his wife Julianne by his side. Bruce died of complications from Alzheimer's and dementia. He is survived by his wife, Julianne Whetten Williams, his daughters Heidi Marie Williams, Holly Lynn (Brandon) Bailey, Whitney Jordan (Stetson) Robinson, Lindsey Jordan (Adam) Broud, and his son Jarom Tait (Whitney) Jordan. He is also survived by his brother Scott (Laurie) Williams, his sister Robyn (Craig) Hall, his grandchildren: Ellenore, Layla, Liam, Rowan, Penny, Weston, Dean, Silas, Asher, Milo, Venna, and Tate, as well as his extended family and friends.
Bruce was born on November 16, 1956 at the LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah to Joyce and Robert Williams, both of whom predeceased him. Bruce was the youngest of three children. He attended Murray High School and swam for the Spartans until graduating in 1975. He went to the University of Utah for one year prior to serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Chicago, Illinois from 1976 - 1978. After his mission, he attended Salt Lake Community College for one year. In 1982, he married Layna Anderson, and had two beautiful daughters. After his divorce from Layna, Bruce started driving semi-trucks in 1990 and continued driving trucks locally for the next 31 years until his retirement in 2021.
In 1996, Bruce met Julianne Whetten at a singles dance in Salt Lake City. They quickly fell in love and were sealed in the Bountiful, Utah temple on November 22, 1997. Julianne had 3 children from a previous marriage and they happily joined their families together in that union that has spanned 25 years.
Bruce loved to swim outdoors, even in the coldest of water! He and Julianne loved to play golf, tennis, snow and water ski. They also loved to hike and travel and have traveled to 42 states together. Bruce loved his dogs, Charlie and Max, and they loved him.
Bruce was a stalwart member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and held many callings. He loved serving those in his church congregation throughout his life.
Through Bruce's illness, he was brave, courageous, and had faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ, and our Heavenly Father's plan for us. We are so grateful for the 66 precious years that we spent with our "Brucie."
A visitation and funeral will be held on Saturday, August 12 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (13277 W. Thomas Road, Goodyear, Arizona 85395). The visitation will begin at 9AM with the funeral beginning at 11AM.
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