On Sunday, June 17, 2018, Ryan Jay Williams passed away suddenly at his home in Springville, Utah due to complications from multiple injuries sustained in a rollover car accident in May. He will be lovingly remembered by his parents, Rex and Sally, his sister Julie (Jesse) Scott, and his brother Neal. Ryan will also be sadly missed by his grandparents Jay and Louise, numerous cousins, other extended family members, and dear friends.
Ryan was born on May 1, 1984 in Tucson, Arizona where he developed a love for outdoor activities including hunting and fishing. He was an accomplished marksman and enjoyed spending time at the gun range with his dad. Ryan participated in Cross Country and Varsity Wrestling at Sahuaro High School and earned a black belt in Jujitsu. As a member of the Boy Scouts of America, he attended the 1997 National Jamboree and earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2002.
Ryan was also a talented guitarist with a passion for music. As a teenager, he responded to an online post from one of his favorite small bands when they announced they were going on tour and could not afford a hotel in the Tucson area. Without a second thought, or first asking permission from his parents, he turned his childhood home into a hotel to accommodate the entire band for a night. Ryan's friends from high school and college will forever remember him playing guitar during spontaneous late night sing-along sessions in his parents' basement.
Ryan was incredibly intelligent and well-read with the unique ability to understand the theoretical and apply it to the practical. He excelled in high school and college and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Arizona in 2007. In 2008, Ryan moved to Springville, Utah with his mom and younger brother, Neal.
Ryan was never concerned with being fashionable or flamboyant and took great pride in his thrift shop wardrobe comprised of band tees, snap button cowboy shirts, and Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars. His personal struggles with anxiety, depression, and chronic pain increased his compassion and understanding for those less fortunate. He made friends easily and had an effortless way of making others feel welcome. Those who knew him best will miss Ryan's quick-witted humor and unmatched storytelling skills.