Mynoa Williams (Ray)

Mynoa Ray Williams spent her last days on earth doing what she loved most: serving and helping people.

Mynoa was born into a loving family on November 10, 1949. She grew up the fourth of ten children. She adored her amazing parents, and from them she learned to work hard, love God, and serve others.

She graduated from BYU with a degree in Elementary Education. She was an accomplished musician as a pianist and a vocalist, and she performed vocally with her sisters. She knew a song for everything and sang throughout the day her whole life long.

Shortly after finishing school, Mynoa married her longtime friend Alan, and together they began their life’s dream of raising a family. She loved being a mom, and she anxiously awaited and welcomed each of her twelve children. She was an incredible mother, passing on to her children her passion for books, learning, and music, as well as her work ethic and her sense of fun.

Mynoa had an adventurous, energetic spirit and a knack for making even dull things interesting. She instigated many sock wars, got-you-last matches, and hikes. She was always willing to try something new and would jump into whatever game, sport, or water fight her kids and their friends were starting.

There were no strangers to Mynoa. She could talk to anyone anywhere. She is fondly remembered for the way she could get you to tell her your life story and make you feel genuinely cared about on first acquaintance.

Mynoa loved the Lord. She dedicated her life to Him, serving Him in many ways throughout her life. She was thrilled in her later years to be able to follow in her eight sons’ footsteps by serving a mission with her husband. And then another shortly thereafter.

Mynoa’s greatest joy was being with her family, and she gave her whole life to serving and loving them. She passed from this life surrounded by the people she lived her life for--her husband and children.

Mynoa was greeted on the other side by her father, Irving; her mother, Ethlyn; and her sister Juanita.

She leaves her precious memory to be held, honored, and cherished by the countless people whose lives she touched here on earth--most prominently her husband, Alan; her children, David (Cherise), Duane (Ruth), Juli (Peter), Russell, Keith (Meagen), Shirlene (Scott), Amy (Trevor), Josh (Emily), Nephi (Hannah), Spencer (Juliette), Moroni (Sarah), and Camilla (James); her forty-seven grandchildren; and her one great-grandbaby.

We will gather on Friday and Saturday, January 31 and February 1, at 114 South 400 West in Orem, Utah, to remember Mynoa and the gift her life has been for us: A night of memories and celebration of life will be held Friday from 7 to 8:30 p.m., with a viewing on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., followed shortly after by funeral services from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.