Troy Lee Williams

Troy Lee Williams, 98, died Dec. 19, 2010, at his home in Palmer.

Funeral services are Dec. 23 at 2 p.m. at the Palmer LDS chapel, 540 W. Arctic Ave., with burial following at Palmer Pioneer Cemetery where Troy will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife, Virginia.

Troy was born Sept. 18, 1912, in Redden, Okla., to Henry Clay Williams and Carrie Alice Davis.

Troy was a true cowboy. At the young age of 3, his family moved from Oklahoma to Showlow, Ariz., by covered wagon. He grew up learning to love horses, hunting and fishing. Troy held many jobs in his lifetime, but the one he loved best was working on the ranch, riding his horse. He spent many hours singing the cows to sleep during trail rides.

Troy was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He met the love of his life, Virginia Brown, at a square dance in Snowflake, Ariz. They fell in love and were married Oct. 31, 1941. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Mesa, Ariz., LDS Temple. They raised four children of their own and their grandson, Chuck. After the children were grown, Troy and Virginia moved to Alaska.

Troy served many positions in the church. His favorite calling was that of Scout Master in the Scouting program. He held this calling for more than 20 years. He loved working with the youth of the church and took them on many camping and fishing trips. He shared many stories about his cowboy days with his friends and family.

In his later years, Troy spent his time enjoying watching all the John Wayne movies and any other cowboy movie he could find. He shared many of these with friends who stopped by to visit.

Troy is survived by his five children, Ann Marie Williams of Arizona, Lee Lilly of Lakeside, Ariz., Steve and Carolyn Williams of LaGrange, Wyo., Carolyn and Frank Ridenour of Prineville, Ore., and LeNore Baird of Red Devil, Ark.; and by his grandson, Chuck and Debbie Williams of Palmer. He is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and many friends.

Troy was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Virginia.

Arrangements were with Legacy Funeral Homes and Cremation Services — Kehl’s Palmer Chapel.