Willard Olson Stolworthy passed away suddenly but peacefully in his home on November 3, 2014. He died after a long extended illness. He did so with fortitude and patience.
He was born on January 16, 1934, the fifth child of ten, to Viola and Carlos Stolworthy in Cortez, Colorado. He loved his parents and siblings with all his heart and was fiercely loyal and proud of his ancestry.
He was an exceptional athlete and graduated from Lincoln High in Orem, UT, in 1952. He then played football for BYU.
He served in the LDS North Central States Mission from 1956-58 and spoke fondly of the people in Montana and North Dakota.
In 1959, he graduated from BYU completing the Air Force ROTC. He later received a masters degree in economics.
He married his only love, Venita Braithwaite, in the Salt Lake Temple on June 2, 1958. They raised seven children. Family was always first. He loved Christmas and the boy in him always showed. We look forward to seeing that yuletide sparkle in his eye.
Dad was perfect when serving as our patriarch. One of his most endearing qualities was the love and compassion he showed us during trials, even when they were our own doing. We always knew that dad loved us.
He retired as Lt. Col. in the USAF. He initially trained as a fighter pilot, later serving in the Strategic Air Command in missiles. In 1983, he moved the family permanently to Providence, UT. He taught mathematics at Mt. Logan Middle School for 15 years until he retired.
He loved our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ. He loved the scriptures and knew them. He had a fervent belief in the Restoration and of a living prophet. He lived a life of service and enjoyed callings in bishoprics, high councils and many others. He was a faithful home teacher. His actions bore a powerful testimony of what he believed.
Although he will be sorely missed, we know we will be reunited. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Colleen and Donna, and his brother Shirl.
He is survived by his eternal companion, Venita, and all of his 7 children: Denise (Steve) Webb, W. Kyle (Janet) Stolworthy, Melissa (Mark) Wootton, Rachelle (Scott) Thomas, Ryan (Jenny) Stolworthy, Venicia (Todd) Wilson, and Amanda (Craig) Walker. Also his 29 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Monday, Nov. 10 at the Foxridge LDS Chapel, 100 North 100 East in Providence. A viewing will be held from 5-7 PM on Sunday evening at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center St. in Logan and from 10-11:30 AM prior to services at the church on Monday. Condolences may be expressed online at
www.allenmortuaries.net
.
We'd like to thank Dr. Mark Firth & Rob Duncan, the staff at Logan Regional Hospital and Sunshine Terrace for their compassionate care.