Phyllis Williams Valdez

Phyllis Williams Valdez passed away at home on September 10, 2023 after a courageous battle with liver cancer that was diagnosed in 2015. Phyllis was born on May 17, 1946, in Castle Dale, Utah. She was the fourth and youngest child of Lyle L. Williams and Chloe Helen Wilberg Williams. The family moved to Ogden, Utah, when Phyllis was five years old. Phyllis always looked forward to their trips back to Castle Dale to visit her mother’s family. She loved her cats and would dress them up in doll clothes and push them in her doll buggy, taking them for walks. She also loved her dolls and would play will them often.

She attended school in Ogden where she met her husband, Sostenes (Sos) Valdez. She was fifteen years old in her junior year at Ben Lomond High School when she met Sos. They ran away with his mother to Malad, Idaho to be married March 25, 1963. Sos and his mother picked Phyllis up at the high school and drove to the Utah, Idaho boarder and he made her walk across, so he didn’t get in trouble with the law. He picked her up on the Idaho side and they continued to Malad. When they arrive in Malad they couldn’t find the justice of the peace, he was out back getting worms to go fishing. The justice of the peace needed parental approval because Phyllis was 16 years old. So, Phyllis called her sister in-law Linda Williams and asked her to be pretend to be her mother and give permission for her to be married. Linda went along with no questions. Sos and Phyllis were married and then he took her back to the school to go home. Phyllis’ parents did not find out she was married until 2 weeks later. Their first child, Kelly was born in 1964. Phyllis began attending night school to earn her high school diploma. They then had their second child, Deborah, born in 1965 and their third child, Derrick, was born 1971.

Phyllis went back to school to take an office occupation course. She worked at Freeport Center, then Sierra Lingerie. In 1971 she became an Avon Representative and pick up the hobby of collecting Avon products. Her oldest item belonged to her mother when she was first married, which she treasured. She also worked at GSL for 25 years before retiring. She was a ‘homebody’ and looked forward to coming home from work each day and spending time in her home. She always encouraged her husband to do the things he enjoyed doing fishing and going to car shows. Sos and Phyllis were best friends and Sos would ensure she laughed at least once a day. Their favorite song was ‘Look at Us’ by Vince Gill. Sos and Phyllis were able to celebrate their 60^th wedding anniversary together in March of 2023.

Phyllis was a tender-hearted and easy going. She enjoyed scrapbooking, crocheting, and cross-stitching.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her son Kelly, her mother (Chloe), Father (Lyle), Father-in-law (Sisto Valdez), Mother-in-law (Vivan Valdez), Brothers Ronald, and Boyd Williams. She is survived by a daughter Deborah Smith (Jeff), son Derrick Valdez, daughter in law Annie Valdez, Husband Sos Valdez, Grandchildren Macy, Haley, Jeremy, Cody and Great Grandson Deacon and sister LaVerna Carter.

She and her family are grateful for the amazing care Bristol hospice gave to her and her family.  Special thanks to Tyona Price, our great niece, and her mother MaRee Carter. We are humbled and grateful for all her time and tender care she has provided to Phyllis throughout her illness and last days. Thank you to our friends and family for their love and support.

Phyllis requested no funeral services.