Rymal Graff Williams - Obituary

Dr. Rymal Graff Williams, prominent Cedar City physician and surgeon, 77, died at his home July 4, 1995, surrounded by his loved ones.

He was born March 15, 1918, in Kanarraville, Utah to John Layron and Myrtle Isabelle Graff Williams. He married Isobel Finlinson in the St. George Temple on August 2, 1941.

Dr. Williams lived his childhood in Kanarraville and Cedar City, and spent some early years in northwestern Colorado, where his father homesteaded a ranch. An honor student in the Cedar City Public Schools, he graduated from Cedar High School as valedictorian.

He was musically talented from childhood and was an accomplished pianist, serving as organist and accompanist in various auxillaries and programs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the time he was 12 years of age. He helped finance his education by performing in numerous dance bands and was also active in athletics, playing center on his high school and college basketball teams.

Graduating from Southern Utah University (at the time Branch Agricultural College) in 1938 with an associate degree, he represented his class as salutatorian. He attended the University of Utah and was Magna Cum Laude with and AB degreee in anatomy, after which he graduated from the U of U College of Medicine. He continued studies at Washington University of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, where he was awarded the Doctorate of Medicine degree in 1943 with highest honors.

Following a pathology fellowship at Ellis Fishel State Cancer Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, Dr. Williams completed a general rotating internship, surgery residency and pediatric residency at Denver General Hospital, Denver, Colorado. He also served as a U.S. Army Reserve officer at Fitzimmons Hospital in Denver.

Dr. Williams began a private practice in Cedar City in 1947, and devoted himsepf to a career in medicine and general surgery which spanned over 45 years. In this capacity he touched countless lives throughout sourthern Utah, eastern Utah and northern Arizona. He loved common people, attended to their welfare as his own, and skillfully ushered up to four generations of patients, always making time to allay one's fears through simple explanations of processes and procedures, and by drawing diagrams on a prescription pad or paper on an examining table. His dedication and service to fellowman is best summed up by the creed he ascribed to a physician's role and by which he lived: "To cure sometimes, to relieve often, to comfort always."

Dr. Williams participated in many civic and cultural affairs. He was a charter member of the Cedar City's Kiwanis Club and served as its president. He was a long  time patron of the Music Arts Society, Annual Spring Art Exhibit and, for many years, was a member of the El Escalante Knife and Fork Club. An avid sportsman and outdoorsman, he wa always fond of hunting and fishing and raised numerous beloved hunting dogs. He also enjoyed gourmet cooking, collecting find paintings, Indian jewelry, blankets and other artifacts as well as antiques.

Above all, his greatest joy and love in life was his family and he was a generous, kind and loving husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his faithful wife and companion of 53 years, Isobel; four sons and two daughters, all of Cedar City: Cynthia W. Dunaway, Dr. Roger Fin (Karla) Williams, Dr. Tracy L. (Shirleen) Williams; Merrill F. (Marilyn) Williams, Sue Ellen (Paul) Davis, Roland F. (Julie) Williams; 24 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; one sister, LaFaun W. Parry, St. George, Utah.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 8, at the Cedar 9th Ward Chapel, 256 South 900 West at 12 noon. Friends and family may call Friday, July 7, from 5 to 9 p.m. or Saturday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Southern Utah Mortuary, 190 North 300 West, Cedar City. Burial will be in the Cedar City Cemetery.

"A man's greatness is measured by the goodness he leaves to grow after him. Those of us you have brought into this world, cared for, consoled, and taught will never forget the debt of love and kindness your example has left for us."

Published in The Salt Lake Tribune

Friday, July 7, 1995

Descendancy:
Rymal Williams, husband of Isobel Finlinson
Sister to Richard Lyman Finlinson
Diane Finlinson