Willard Jones part 2

A Life Well Traveled and Deeply Rooted

In his later years, Willard and Mary Alice had the opportunity to travel, often with their children. Their son Paul and his wife Mildred took them on a heartfelt journey to Europe to explore their ancestral roots. They visited Tredegar, Wales—the home of Thomas Jones, Willard’s grandfather—and Milton and Clevedon, England, where Mary Alice’s ancestors, David Warr and Phillis Lye, once lived.

In 1957, they traveled to Hawaii with daughter Irene and her husband Ephraim Furness. After driving to San Francisco, they boarded a majestic Panama Clipper—a large, eight-engine aircraft capable of water landings. The 11-hour flight was a grand adventure, filled with sunshine and laughter.

Monticello became another beloved destination, especially during deer hunting season. With Tom and Vernetta living there, Willard loved walking the farm and enjoying the land. In their later years, he and Mary Alice would dress up and drive to Salt Lake City almost daily for lunch. One of their favorite spots was Little America, where the waitress would fondly ask, “Are we sharing a slice of pie today?”

A Fitting Farewell

Willard passed away on February 25, 1971, at the age of 87. He is buried beside Mary Alice in the Salt Lake City Cemetery, near his parents and grandparents—close to the land he loved, and the community he helped build.

In August 1988, the Hunter Ward Centennial celebrated a century of faith and heritage. All of Willard’s children and many of their grandchildren gathered at the building he had once helped construct, reflecting on the enduring legacy of a man who gave everything for family, church, and community.

Legacy, Love, and Community: The Later Years of Willard James Jones

As the Great Depression swept the nation, Willard James Jones found ways to lift not only his own family but others around him. His son Tom remembered one early adventure during that time—traveling into Salt Lake City near 2500 South and West Temple to purchase a team and wagon. Tom proudly drove the wagon home, naming the horses Chuck and Bess. Another faithful horse, Diamond, became part of the family’s daily farm work. Willard, always resourceful and generous, kept many men employed as Road Supervisor by organizing rock-clearing efforts on the dry farms. Some of the boulders were so large that teams of men were needed to move even one. “I was the only man around with a job,” Willard later reflected—not with pride, but with purpose.

In October 1931, his eldest son Paul was called to serve a mission in Canada, a proud and emotional milestone for the family. Around the same time, Willard and his brother Robert began an annual tradition—taking their families on camping trips to the mountains. Irene and Vernetta fondly recalled the bumpy ride up canyons in a trailer packed to the brim, headed for Kill Kare Resorts. “We always had a great time,” they said, remembering evenings under the stars and laughter around the campfire.

When political changes led to Willard losing his position as Road Supervisor, he pivoted with quiet dignity. He took a clerical job at Arthur Mill (now Kennecott Copper), and later returned to what had become a calling—insurance work. He joined Utah Home Fire and Beneficial Life, bringing not just policies, but comfort to families in times of loss. Irene remembered the joy in his voice when he delivered a check to a family whose home had burned down. He had helped them start again. Beneficial Life later awarded him a white wool blanket for outstanding service—a keepsake Irene still treasures.

By 1937, signs of economic recovery brought new opportunities. Willard surprised the family with a brand-new Ford V-8—an enormous investment at $900. That same year, he and son Tom went looking for new farmland. Their search led to Monticello, Utah, based on a tip from neighbor Silas Smith. They purchased 480 acres from the Federal Land Bank for $1,700. Tom drove the truck loaded with farm equipment, while his wife Merie followed with their toddler Beverly and Willard’s daughter Irene. Initially overwhelmed by the remoteness of Monticello, Irene declared, “Don’t take my suitcase out—I’m going back.” But she stayed, and the land soon became another thread in the family’s growing legacy.

Tom remembered his father’s steady wisdom. “He’d point out a mistake once—not over and over—and he’d help you financially, but never gave away more than you’d earned.” Willard believed in hard work, accountability, and quiet guidance.

As the family expanded, so did their needs. In 1938, Willard built a large two-story home with a basement on 5600 West and 3500 South, just west of his parents’ former home. Every member of the family helped—gathering stones from the East Mountains, nailing lathe, insulating walls. The porch and wainscoting were done in beautiful stone by the brothers of son-in-law Mel Jensen. The home had an English charm and quickly became the heart of the family—a gathering place for birthdays, holidays, and weddings. By the time they moved in during August 1939, Paul and Tom were married, with weddings soon following for Elmer, Irene, Vernetta, Marie, and Charlotte—many of them celebrated in the family home itself.

Willard's commitment to faith and community was unwavering. Throughout his life, he held numerous positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Ward Clerk, Sunday School Superintendent, Mutual President, and secretary in the North Jordan Stake High Priests Quorum. As financial secretary for the Hunter Ward, he and Mary Alice once counted 1,500 pennies collected by children for the building fund, laughing as they worked side by side. Even on the day he was taken to the hospital, Willard made one final trip to the ward office to finish his reports.

Civic development was in his blood. Willard’s father and grandfather had helped dig the Salt Lake and Utah Canal in 1882, bringing the first irrigation to Hunter. In 1951, when the Granger-Hunter Improvement District was formed—fittingly, in a school kitchen—Willard was elected Chairman. He personally signed the $1.5 million bond that brought running water to the area, transforming the future of the west side communities. Today, his portrait still hangs in the Granger-Hunter Water Office—a testament to his lifelong commitment.

In later years, Willard and Mary Alice embraced the pleasures their hard work had earned. One of their most meaningful adventures was a trip to Europe arranged by son Paul and daughter-in-law Mildred. They visited ancestral towns—Tredegar in Wales, and Milton and Clevedon in England—where their forebears had lived before embracing the gospel and making the journey to Utah. Walking those historic streets brought their family history to life.

Another cherished trip came in 1957, when daughter Irene and son-in-law Ephraim Furness took them to Hawaii. They drove to San Francisco in Willard’s car, parked at the airport, and boarded a magnificent eight-engine Panama Clipper. The flight took 11 hours and was capable of water landings—a marvel of its time. The islands were beautiful, and the trip was filled with sunshine, relaxation, and joy.

Monticello remained a favorite destination, especially during deer season. With Tom and Vernetta living nearby, Willard loved visiting the farm and walking across the land he had once helped secure. More than hunting, these trips were about connection—to family, to nature, and to the rhythm of a life well lived.

In their twilight years, Willard and Mary Alice found joy in simple rituals. Nearly every day, dressed in their Sunday best, they would drive into Salt Lake City for lunch. Little America was a favorite. The waitress came to know them well and would often ask with a smile, “Willard, are we sharing a slice of pie today?”

Willard passed away on February 25, 1971, at the age of 87. He was buried beside his beloved Mary Alice in the Salt Lake City Cemetery, not far from his parents and grandparents—quiet sentinels of a family whose roots ran deep in the soil of the “over Jordan” country.

In August 1988, the Hunter Ward held its Centennial Celebration. All of Willard and Mary Alice’s children, their spouses, and many grandchildren gathered to honor the man who had helped construct the original building—and the legacy he left behind. Willard James Jones remains a name spoken with respect throughout West Valley City. He was a man of service, principle, and unwavering devotion—to family, faith, and the land he called home.