Janet Williams

Janet Jardine Williams, a third generation resident of Bountiful, Utah, passed away July 15, 2012. She was born December 22, 1919 in Bountiful to Frank and Ada Bryson Jardine. Janet’s father was an Englishman who had immigrated as a young man to Idaho to live with his uncle’s family and eventually became a respected mining engineer and Chaplain of the 2nd Utah State Legislature. Her mother was a daughter of Mormon pioneers from Glasgow, Scotland. Janet was the next to last in birth order of the six Jardine children.
Janet continued in her legacy of faith as a lifelong, active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She was interested in people and a natural leader. At Davis High School Janet served as Vice President of the sophomore class, President of the Girls’ Association, Cheerleader and Editor of the yearbook. During her senior year in high school, Janet met Dwight James Williams. Janet attended the University of Utah, where she enjoyed serving on two committees and pledged Chi Omega.
She dated Dwight from time to time before he left for Texas to become an Army Air Corps pilot and flight instructor. Janet and Dwight were married on April 27, 1942 in the Salt Lake Temple and began their life together in Texas. The war years were difficult for the young couple. Dwight was eventually assigned to North Africa where he was involved in the liberation of Sicily and the invasion of the Italian mainland as commander of a US squadron equipped with British-made Spitfire fighter aircraft. In August 1943, Dwight was seriously wounded in combat with the German Luftwaffe over the Straights of Messina. Janet had received word of the injury, but did not know whether her husband was even alive when she gave birth to her first child in late October. Miraculously, Dwight survived and after 9 months in military hospitals, Janet was able to rejoin him in Texas.
After World War II ended, Janet and Dwight and their infant son moved back to Bountiful and Dwight completed his bachelors and masters degrees at the University of Utah. A daughter joined them in 1948. Janet and Dwight moved to the East Bay in the winter of early 1951 following Dwight’s transfer to Oakland as an Air Traffic Controller. A second son was born a few months later in Hayward. In 1952 they moved back to Bountiful. In 1954, Janet gave birth to a second daughter.
Janet’s testimony of Jesus Christ impelled her to a life of service as a faithful Latter-Day Saint. She served as a Bishop’s wife for several years. She also served many years in the Relief Society in various callings including President in her ward, Stake Board Member and as a master teacher. Janet especially enjoyed teaching Cultural Refinement where she upgraded her passion for Shakespeare’s works, many lines of which she and Dwight had memorized together while he was an English major in college. She also devoted time to service in the PTA at schools in Bountiful, culminating in PTA President at Bountiful High School. Janet and Dwight served an LDS mission to the Oakland Temple Visitor’s Center from late 1979 to early 1981. Janet also found great satisfaction, inspiration and peace serving for many years in the Bountiful temple.
Janet enjoyed traveling to many countries with Dwight after his retirement until he didn’t survive his fourth open heart surgery in February, 1991. Janet had many talents, including oil painting and poetry writing. She was also a voracious reader.
Janet was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Frank (Edna), and sisters, Frances (Clyde) Bench, Marjorie (Glen) Williams, Betty (Dick) Tingey and their respective spouses, and her granddaughter, Kellie Watkins. She is survived by her brother, Stuart (Winifred) Jardine, and her four children, Dwight B. (Nan), Jean Williams, Mark (Shauna) and Barbara (Virgil) Williams, and 26 grandchildren.
Janet’s family is grateful for the kind, caring service the staff at Canyon Creek Assisted Living Center and Silverado Hospice provided to their dear Mother.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 21, 2012 at 11:00am at Russon Brothers Mortuary 295 North Main Street in Bountiful. A viewing will be held preceding the services beginning at 9:30am. Interment in the Bountiful City Cemetery. Online guest book at www.russonmortuary.com.