DID YOU KNOW - Grandpa Williams almost lost his life in Guam?

Grandpa Williams was a hard worker. After he and Grandma Williams were married, the Great Depression of the 1930's came and he worked long and hard to take care of his new little family. 

He worked in Garfield, Utah with the American Smelting and Refining Company while enrolling in classes to train as a Machinist and a Welder. He attended these classes for over four years while working full time at the smelter.

Finally the time came where he was hired by the Tooele Ordinance Depot, where he could use his training. He worked as an auto mechanic on government mobile equipment.

While at Tooele, the shop superintendent offered him a chance to go to Guam to teach the soldiers auto mechanics and welding. He accepted this opportunity, but before leaving, moved his family to Spanish Fork where they owned a home. At this time, the family consisted of four girls and one boy.

In Guam, the welding classes were held in an army Quonset hut, but the auto mechanics classes were held outside, in almost daily rains, followed by hot tropical sun. Grandpa Williams enjoyed his work in Guam, but did not like being separated from his family.

He had an experience in Guam that nearly cost him his life. It was while picking up sea shells in the ocean, that he and another soldier were caught in a tidal wave following a typhoon which struck Yap Island. They were miraculously saved from drowning through the power of prayer.  He prayed so fervently to be spared and this has always been a strong, faith promoting event to Grandpa. That same day, two other men were drowned on the island, caught in similar circumstances.

Descendency

Allen Berry Williams (1905-2000)

LaVon Williams (1932-2015)

Diane Finlinson

Sources
"Bull Ladle", Retirement Article written by Allen B. Williams for the Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Company. June 1970
Spanish Fork Ward Newsletter, featuring Allen & Delila Williams, prepared by Marie Hill, Sept. 1969