Lella Ruth Gille
January 14, 1928 — June 29, 2022
Lella Ruth Gille
January 14, 1928 — June 29, 2022
Our beloved mother, Lella Ruth Preece Willardson passed away on June 29, 2022, to be with her adoring husband, parents, siblings and loved ones — what a reunion that must've been!
Our mother Ruth blessed our lives and all those around her for 94 years. Ever the optimist, she was a ray of sunshine, humble with a strong fortitude as well. She had great faith and remained steadfast in the gospel of Jesus Christ, despite being widowed three times.
Born on January 14, 1928, in the home her father built in Vernal, Utah, to parents Karl Banks Preece and Lella Osea McCoy, she was the fourth of six siblings. She made friends easily and those friendships lasted a lifetime. She was a friend to all she met. Some of her favorite memories while growing up were times spent together with her family in the Utah mountains, garnering a deep love for God's Earth.
After graduating from Uintah High School in 1946, she attended BYU and always said that was among her favorite times in life. Because her hardworking parents were only able to afford one year of tuition, she moved to Salt Lake City and lived in the historic Beehive House. While there, she worked various jobs, was a contestant in several beauty contests, was in the Days of '47 Royalty and a model for Ann Ashton's modeling agency. She also modeled for various companies such as ZCMI and was frequently featured in the Deseret News newspaper — those news clippings and old headshots continue to be a granddaughter favorite.
It was there at a University of Utah Institute dance that she met the love of her life — a tall, dark and handsome man from Beverly Hills attending medical school. Don Willardson asked her to dance, and they danced together the rest of the night and he called her every day after that.
They were married on August 30, 1952, in the Vernal First Ward Chapel by her father, who was a Bishop. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Los Angeles Temple. Son, Craig, was born the next year, followed by daughter, Linda. After Don graduated from medical school they moved to Southern California where he completed his residency, working as an OBGYN in Long Beach. And it was there that daughter Lisa was born.
Ruth continued modeling in Southern California for various department stores and print advertisements until the mid1960s. She could have easily made a lasting career as a model but instead she chose the better path of motherhood and homemaker, for which we are forever grateful. She was an excellent artist since her youth, had a beautiful alto voice, enjoyed singing in the choir, was a voracious reader, loved to travel the world with Don, was involved in the Long Beach Medical Wives Auxiliary, the California Utah Women, and a member of the Assistance League of Long Beach. She had a zest for life and had genuine love, compassion, charity, and concern for others. She had a personality that led you to fall in love with her and feel adored within minutes of meeting her.
After Don's sudden death in 1980, Ruth reconnected with Ralph Johnson, whom she had dated in Salt Lake before Don. Ruth and Ralph married in 1985 and moved back to Ruth's hometown of Vernal in 1991. She loved being there by her mother, siblings and longtime friends. Ruth and Ralph opened their large rural home on a picturesque canyon setting of 55 acres to many people and hosted numerous events — including treasured family reunions! Her 10 grandchildren lived for summer trips to her Vernal house, hiking up to the famed Indian hieroglyphic caves, after passing the wild moose (which once snuck into the house and shocked everyone), wandering cows and flowing river. While in Vernal, Ruth was a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers and took painting classes, completing over 40 works of art.
After Ralph's unexpected death in 1999, Ruth met and later married Afton Gille in 2003 and they remained there in Vernal. After Afton's death in 2013, Ruth moved to Northern California, in Woodland, in 2016 near her daughter, Linda who stayed close to her the rest of her life.
Ruth cherished her membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had an unwavering testimony and faith. She was delighted when it was announced that the Vernal Tabernacle would be restored to become the Vernal Temple, as she was baptized in the tabernacle by her father. One of her favorite church callings was serving as primary president. Through her loving ways and great example, she brought many into the gospel, including her second husband, Ralph.
Ruth found joy in simple things such as viewing the beautiful mountains from her backyard deck, stocking the Oreo cookie jar for her family, and beautiful music. She always owned and played a piano. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren gathered near wherever she was for a chance to bask in her warmth. They loved how she was forever youthful, quick-witted and always up for pranks.
One of her greatest characteristics was resilience. She continued to find joy and delight in life, even after enduring the death of three husbands.
Our family expresses our deep gratitude to Sody of Vernal, Utah, who allowed our mother to continue to live on her own for many years, as well as Paulette Naake, for her love and care in Mom's later years and being an angel by her side.
Ruth's greatest joys were her family. She is survived by her three children: Craig, Linda and Lisa; her 10 grandchildren: Chad, Brittany, Heather, Brooke, Krista, Eric, Whitney, Brooke, Courtney and Ryan; 25 great grandchildren and one already in heaven, with 2 more babies on the way; and by her younger brother, Bruce.
A funeral service is scheduled for Friday, July 22, at 10:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 6500 E. Atherton Street, Long Beach, Calif. A viewing will be held that morning from 9:00-10:00 am. The burial will take place at Forest Lawn, Glendale, Calif., next to her husband, Don.
Flowers may be sent to Forest Lawn Long Beach at 1500 E. San Antonio Drive, Long Beach, Calif. 90807 by 4:30 pm on Thursday, July 21, or by 9:00 am to the church in Long Beach where her service will be held (address above).
In honor of Ruth, we hope you would do one or more of the following things: Make someone feel loved, accepted and adored. Find joy and beauty daily in the small and simple things around you. Be a little more kind, be a little more loving and be present with those around you.
Our mother Ruth blessed our lives and all those around her for 94 years. Ever the optimist, she was a ray of sunshine, humble with a strong fortitude as well. She had great faith and remained steadfast in the gospel of Jesus Christ, despite being widowed three times.
Born on January 14, 1928, in the home her father built in Vernal, Utah, to parents Karl Banks Preece and Lella Osea McCoy, she was the fourth of six siblings. She made friends easily and those friendships lasted a lifetime. She was a friend to all she met. Some of her favorite memories while growing up were times spent together with her family in the Utah mountains, garnering a deep love for God's Earth.
After graduating from Uintah High School in 1946, she attended BYU and always said that was among her favorite times in life. Because her hardworking parents were only able to afford one year of tuition, she moved to Salt Lake City and lived in the historic Beehive House. While there, she worked various jobs, was a contestant in several beauty contests, was in the Days of '47 Royalty and a model for Ann Ashton's modeling agency. She also modeled for various companies such as ZCMI and was frequently featured in the Deseret News newspaper — those news clippings and old headshots continue to be a granddaughter favorite.
It was there at a University of Utah Institute dance that she met the love of her life — a tall, dark and handsome man from Beverly Hills attending medical school. Don Willardson asked her to dance, and they danced together the rest of the night and he called her every day after that.
They were married on August 30, 1952, in the Vernal First Ward Chapel by her father, who was a Bishop. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Los Angeles Temple. Son, Craig, was born the next year, followed by daughter, Linda. After Don graduated from medical school they moved to Southern California where he completed his residency, working as an OBGYN in Long Beach. And it was there that daughter Lisa was born.
Ruth continued modeling in Southern California for various department stores and print advertisements until the mid1960s. She could have easily made a lasting career as a model but instead she chose the better path of motherhood and homemaker, for which we are forever grateful. She was an excellent artist since her youth, had a beautiful alto voice, enjoyed singing in the choir, was a voracious reader, loved to travel the world with Don, was involved in the Long Beach Medical Wives Auxiliary, the California Utah Women, and a member of the Assistance League of Long Beach. She had a zest for life and had genuine love, compassion, charity, and concern for others. She had a personality that led you to fall in love with her and feel adored within minutes of meeting her.
After Don's sudden death in 1980, Ruth reconnected with Ralph Johnson, whom she had dated in Salt Lake before Don. Ruth and Ralph married in 1985 and moved back to Ruth's hometown of Vernal in 1991. She loved being there by her mother, siblings and longtime friends. Ruth and Ralph opened their large rural home on a picturesque canyon setting of 55 acres to many people and hosted numerous events — including treasured family reunions! Her 10 grandchildren lived for summer trips to her Vernal house, hiking up to the famed Indian hieroglyphic caves, after passing the wild moose (which once snuck into the house and shocked everyone), wandering cows and flowing river. While in Vernal, Ruth was a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers and took painting classes, completing over 40 works of art.
After Ralph's unexpected death in 1999, Ruth met and later married Afton Gille in 2003 and they remained there in Vernal. After Afton's death in 2013, Ruth moved to Northern California, in Woodland, in 2016 near her daughter, Linda who stayed close to her the rest of her life.
Ruth cherished her membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had an unwavering testimony and faith. She was delighted when it was announced that the Vernal Tabernacle would be restored to become the Vernal Temple, as she was baptized in the tabernacle by her father. One of her favorite church callings was serving as primary president. Through her loving ways and great example, she brought many into the gospel, including her second husband, Ralph.
Ruth found joy in simple things such as viewing the beautiful mountains from her backyard deck, stocking the Oreo cookie jar for her family, and beautiful music. She always owned and played a piano. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren gathered near wherever she was for a chance to bask in her warmth. They loved how she was forever youthful, quick-witted and always up for pranks.
One of her greatest characteristics was resilience. She continued to find joy and delight in life, even after enduring the death of three husbands.
Our family expresses our deep gratitude to Sody of Vernal, Utah, who allowed our mother to continue to live on her own for many years, as well as Paulette Naake, for her love and care in Mom's later years and being an angel by her side.
Ruth's greatest joys were her family. She is survived by her three children: Craig, Linda and Lisa; her 10 grandchildren: Chad, Brittany, Heather, Brooke, Krista, Eric, Whitney, Brooke, Courtney and Ryan; 25 great grandchildren and one already in heaven, with 2 more babies on the way; and by her younger brother, Bruce.
A funeral service is scheduled for Friday, July 22, at 10:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 6500 E. Atherton Street, Long Beach, Calif. A viewing will be held that morning from 9:00-10:00 am. The burial will take place at Forest Lawn, Glendale, Calif., next to her husband, Don.
Flowers may be sent to Forest Lawn Long Beach at 1500 E. San Antonio Drive, Long Beach, Calif. 90807 by 4:30 pm on Thursday, July 21, or by 9:00 am to the church in Long Beach where her service will be held (address above).
In honor of Ruth, we hope you would do one or more of the following things: Make someone feel loved, accepted and adored. Find joy and beauty daily in the small and simple things around you. Be a little more kind, be a little more loving and be present with those around you.
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