Willis Liddell Roberts
Willis Liddell Roberts died Tuesday, July 5 at his home in Blanding, Utah after a short illness. He was 89.
Liddell was born to Isaac Bliss and Martha Elizabeth Roberts on August 7, 1915 in Raymond, Alberta, Canada where he was raised at attended school.
Liddell was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved doing missionary work as a young man, he served a mission for the church from 1935 to 1938 in the Tongan Island. He learned to love the islands and the people there.
After returning from his mission, he met Hortense Williams and they were married on June 7, 1939 in the Cardston, Alberta temple.
Liddell farmed with his dad fro a few years and then he moved to Rosemary, Alberta, Canada where he bought a farm.
After World War II, Liddell and Hortense were called to a mission in the Tongan Islands. At this time they had three children and they were able to go with them. They served from 1946 to August 2, 1948. After their mission, they resumed farming in Rosemary.
In 1951, Liddell and family moved to Washington state: first to Ellensburg where he worked on a farm; second in Moses Lake where he worked construction and in the U and I Sugar factory; and third in the Pasco area where he and his two sons worked for various farmers.
When Liddell and Hortense became "empty nesters" they were called to serve another mission to the Tongan Islands from 1973 to 1974. They really enjoyed this mission.
When they returned from this mission, they moved to Blanding, Utah where Liddell has lived for the last 30 years. His first wife, Hortense, passed away in February 1995. Liddell later married Phyllis Jones of Blanding, Utah.
Liddell enjoyed gardening and always raised the best gardens. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Liddell was preceded in death by his first wife, Hortense; his parents, Isaac Bliss and Martha; his step-mom, Lillian; his sisters, Mary, Lucy and Agness; his son William L. Roberts; his step-son, P. Drew Jones; and a great-great-granddaughter, Victoria.
Liddell is survived by his wife, Phyllis; brother Isaac B.; sisters Phyllis Jensen and Lillian Stewart; daughters Sharon (Ted Giles) of Othello, Wash., Myrtle (Tom Rew) of Providence, Utah; and sons Donald and Doreen Roberts of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and Evan B. and Sonja Roberts of Kennewick, Wash. He is also survived by 47 grandchildren, 72 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, 11 step-children, 31 step-grandchildren and 29 step-great-grandchildren.
Services were held in Blanding, Utah. Interment was at Blanding Cemetery.
Liddell's family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude for the prayers and expressions of support during his illness and passing. Special thanks goes out to Colleen, Ninette and the rest of the hospice crew for the extraordinary service they rendered. Phyllis Roberts and family, LaVerl Roberts and family, Sharon Giles and family, Myrtle Rew and family, Don Roberts and family and Evan Roberts and family.