James Fredrick Williams

James Fredrick Williams was born March 15, 1935 in Ogden, Utah, to Frederick L. Williams and Marguerite B. Lofgreen. Jim, his twin brother Larry, and his older brother Jack were raised by their mother in Ogden, where he graduated from high school in 1953. He hadn’t planned on college but, based on his outstanding performance on a national academic test, was awarded a full scholarship by the Firestone Tire Company and attended Brigham Young University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.

While at BYU, Jim met the love of his life, Diane Jones Fisher, and they were married September 13, 1957, in the Los Angeles Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After graduation, Jim and Diane headed to Southern California, where Jim started his career at Hoffman Electronics, and then Pacific Semiconductor, Hughes Aircraft Company, and Northrop-Grumman. He was proud of his work on such projects as the Moon Surveyor, F-15 and F-18 fighters, B-1 and B-2 bombers, and Maverick and Tomahawk missile systems.

He earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California and later a master’s degree in engineering business from UCLA. While at Hughes, he published a technical book about radar systems and taught classes on the same subject.

Jim loved fishing and camping, especially in the Sierra Nevada, and loved teaching his children and grandchildren how to fish. He coached and refereed youth soccer for many years with enthusiasm and patience. Throughout his married life he grew a garden that his granddaughter describes as “magnificent,” as well as fruit trees and boysenberry vines. His homemade spaghetti sauce and 5-pepper hot sauce are legendary.

Jim was never interested in material possessions. He dressed plainly in his standard navy blue polo shirt and khaki chinos, and he never cared about expensive cars, watches, or any other item. His generosity was boundless, and his friends and fellow church members knew that he often gave money to those in need. All who knew him can tell you he was a man of the highest integrity and honesty.

While he was an accomplished man, his greatest pride and joy came from his family. He loved his six children, 21 grandchildren, and 12 great-children, and he would say, “Family isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.” He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Diane F. Williams; his children David (Katharine) Williams, Catherine (Lee) Ulansey, Mary (James) Rasband, and John (Nancy) Williams; and his brother, Larry S. Williams. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jack L. Williams, and his sons Daniel and Ross Williams.

Funeral services will be on Friday, June 30, at 10:00 a.m. at the Woodland Hills Ward building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4501 Deseret Dr., Woodland Hills, California, 91364.

You are invited to a Zoom webinar.

When: Jun 30, 2023 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Topic: Funeral of Jim Williams

https://zoom.us/j/94344305773