Nathan Dwight Williams

Nathan Dwight Williams passed away on August 28th, 2026 at his home in Elk Ridge, Utah.  He spent his life doing as much good as possible and leaving a mark on this world - to say that he did both is an understatement, which is sure to be confirmed by all who shared moments with him. His greatest legacy will be loving his family and friends, caring for others and a healthy sense of humor. 

Dwight was born on July 30th,1945 to Leo Thomas and Joy Kent Williams in Preston, Idaho. Joy died when he was 3 ½ years old, and he was lovingly cared for by family until Leo married Ordus Mae White Williams in June of 1951. He surely got his dynamite personality from her - no one who met him was a stranger for more than five minutes. Ott (as she was called) was the driving force in his life and he was grateful his whole life to have been raised by her. This included childhood summers in Darbun Mississippi with Ott’s large family.

His childhood was spent in Clifton until the age of 14, and then his family moved to Soda Springs, where he graduated from high school in 1963.  He then spent his first year of college at Utah State University in Logan, Utah prior to serving a mission in Scotland for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from 1964-1966. Upon his return, he transferred to Brigham Young University, from which he graduated in 1970 with a major in Zoology (and was always quick to note that he was only one class short of a double major in Chemistry).  While at BYU, he met MaryAnne Wilcken, whom he married May 25th, 1970. His time at BYU shaped his love of BYU Athletics; he was a season ticket holder for both football and basketball for 45+ years but would never turn down a game in any sport for his Cougars.

He was drafted during the Vietnam War and was granted a student deferment to attend the University of Oklahoma medical school and graduated in the class of 1974. His time in the US Army over his lifetime included serving at Fort(s) Sam Houston (TX), Huachuca (AZ), Hood (TX), Lewis (WA) and Rucker (AL), as well as Tooele Army Depot when they moved back to Utah in 1976; in his years in the US Army Reserves, he served in Germany during Operation Desert Storm, and in Bosnia and Hungary.

The move back to Utah began the phase of his life that was focused on work and caring for those around him, including his and MaryAnne’s parents, and he was careful to make sure that anything he was able to do, he could be close enough to do so. He opened the emergency room at Mountain View hospital in Payson and worked there from 1978 – 2002; he loved the staff he worked with and anyone who interacted with him as a physician was met with expertise, compassion and an unmatched bedside manner.  After 2002, he worked and retired from his work at MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) in Salt Lake City.

He loved the family he and MaryAnne built together in Elk Ridge and met many of his lifelong friends there.  He was always good for a visit, a laugh, a haphazardly repaired project or a medical consult.  He and MaryAnne have seven children, and with their spouses and 13 grandchildren, his greatest joys were spending time with the people he loved the most, being of service and learning anything about anything, usually from a random encyclopedia he’d packed for whatever trip he was on. 

He was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and he was very proud of his heritage of people defending the faith he loved so much, and he did so in many ways.  He held many callings that he fulfilled faithfully and well, including Scout Master for half of Elk Ridge, but the favorite calling of his life was as primary pianist; serving his Heavenly Father while bringing joy to children was one of his greatest joys. He also spent the last few years of his life driving around the state giving his grandchildren piano lessons.  Ever the giver, he gave music and love to everyone who was close enough to hear and feel it.

His decision to donate his body to the University of Utah medical school was his last act of service; giving back to the profession that gave him so much.  His remains will be buried with MaryAnne.

Services will be held Friday September 11, 2026 at 11am.  450 N Elk Ridge Dr, Elk Ridge, UT 84651.  There will be time for visiting with those that wish to at 10am.  His greatest wish is that anyone wishing to show their love for him is to look for an opportunity to pay it forward in service of someone in need. 

Dwight is survived by his wife MaryAnne, and his spiffy children: Scott, Jerry (Lisa), LeeAnn (George), Rhonda, Terry (Rosie), Brandon and Peter (Jaime), as well as his grandchildren: Jake, Kyle, Cooper, Mark, Bailey, Kaia, Zack, Jackson, Emi, Maezy, Savannah, Sammy J, and Charlotte.