George “Lennie” Williams
George “Lennie” Williams
George “Lennie” Williams, 92, passed away peacefully on
October 7, 2014, at St. Al's Regional Medical Center.
The son of Lotice Staples & George Stanton Williams,
Lennie was born on June 16, 1922, in Jordan Valley, OR. He attended Nampa High
School where he excelled in all sports. After enlisting in the Army Air Force
in 1940, Lennie became a glider pilot, completing several dangerous missions
during WWII. On D-Day, he successfully transported paratroopers to Utah Beach.
Wounded by gunfire while landing in Germany on March 24, 1945, he received the
Purple Heart for his bravery. Loving his country and being ever so patriotic,
he entered the National Guard from 1948-1963. Flag ceremonies
always
made him
emotional.
Lennie attended the University of Idaho and became an avid
Vandal athletic fan. He especially enjoyed his time in the Delta Tau Delta
fraternity. One day he noticed a beautiful brunette walking to class behind the
Delt house. He and Lois Beem dated, fell in love, and married in Filer, ID on
June 15, 1947.
They settled in Nampa, ID, where Lennie began a long career
as an account manager with Mountain
Bell. After moving to Boise, Lennie and Lois had two daughters, Virginia
“Gini” Williams and Becky Sue Williams.
Lennie and family were then transferred to Pocatello for
seven years. With his love of athletics, he served as Idaho State Bengal
Gridiron president. He was always present to support his daughters in their
activities.
Approaching retirement, Lennie & Lois purchased a motor
home and enjoyed countless trips with friends and the Telephone Pioneers. After
serving as wagon masters for an international Bell System family camping event
in Filer, ID, they helped with the 1984 Olympic torch relay through the state
of Idaho. Lennie was honored with a one-mile relay leg in Denver, Colorado. He
proudly shared his Olympic torch with family and friends over the years since
he cherished that opportunity.
Lennie was generous, kind, spirited and hard-working. He
contributed his time and talents to Little League baseball coaching, Civitan,
and Borah High School football. After retirement from Mountain Bell, he served
as the assistant sergeant of arms for the Idaho House of Representatives for
several years and also drove rental cars for Avis and others. Loving life as he
did, he could chat with anyone and excelled at telling stories which captured
his zest for life and wonderful imagination.
Lennie is survived by his daughters, Virginia “Gini” Williams
of Rolle, Switzerland, and Becky Williams of Boise, ID; grandsons, Scotty
Spears of Boise, ID, and Chad Spears of Tallahassee, FL; and special nieces and
nephews. Preceding him in death were Lennie's wife of 58 years, Lois; his
mother and father, his brother Wayne Williams, and his sister Vera
Casstevens.
The family appreciated the loving care Lennie received at
Overland Court, The Bridge at Valley View, Willow Park, and Meadow Lake. During
his final days, St. Alphonsus was stellar, especially Dr. Fred Lounsbury, the
RNs, and St. Alphonsus Hospice.
Please join the family at a Celebration of Life on Friday,
October 24, 2014, at 10 AM at the Cathedral of the Rockies First United Methodist
Church with a brunch immediately following. Everyone is also invited to attend
a military committal with honors at 3 PM that same day at the Idaho State
Veterans Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please contribute to the University of
Idaho Foundation, ATTN Vandal Scholarship Fund, 875 Perimeter Drive – Mail Stop
3143, Moscow, ID 83844-3143; or Idaho Food Bank, 3562 S. TK Avenue, Boise, ID
83705-5278.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of George “Lennie” Williams, please visit our flower store.
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