O.D. (Olan Dale) Williams N7OZH
1944 - 2015
O.D. (Olan Dale) Williams passed away January 3, 2015, from complications of esophageal cancer. He was born in Gilmer, Texas, on March 13, 1944, to Loyce and Olan Troy Williams.
O.D. attended the University of Texas, where he played the snare drum in the marching band. At BYU, he was a photographer for the Daily Universe. O.D. served in the Army during the Vietnam era. He taught soldiers how to program computers to operate the Gatling Gun. He loved computers and all things technical. He was a true computer geek. O.D.'s fingerprints are on the moon as he helped construct the Lunar Module.
He married Sue Ann Grover on April 11, 1974, in the Salt Lake Temple. In 1981, they opened their own business, Computer Management Systems Inc. He held many church positions, and faithfully served in each of them. O.D. and Sue served in the Salt Lake Temple as ordinance workers for 21 years. He had a strong testimony of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
O.D. was active in Mara and Foothill Ham Radio Nets as a trainer.
Preceded in death by parents. Survived by his wife, Sue Ann Grover, uncle Ben Kinel, Branson, MO., sister-in-law Lisa Grover Hanson, niece Heidi M. Hanson, and cousin Terry Grable, Las Vegas, NV.
In his blessing he was promised "And when your mission here upon the earth is finished, you may say as did the Apostle Paul, 'I have fought a good fight. I have kept the faith. I have finished the course. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, not only for me but for all those who love the Lord and keep His commandments.' "
We will miss you O.D.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. in the Foothill Stake Center, 1930 South 2100 East, Salt Lake City, Utah. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at the Stake Center. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the LDS Humanitarian Fund.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Deseret News on Jan. 7, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for O.D. Williams

15 Entries

January 10, 2015

OD is a great guy. He was so helpful when Carolyn got her ham license and has remained a friend ever since. I enjoyed seeing him at the Temple. I know how difficult it will be for you Sue, but a very large crowd of us are praying for you and eager to help in any way we can become aware of. I would have been at the funeral, but I was in the hospital. All my love,
Larry Harmon, N7NX

Richard Skola KD7NKW

January 9, 2015

O.D. Williams, Known to many as N7OZH, a man worthy of respect and admiration for the many hours of service he gave through church and amateur radio. My sympathy goes out to Sue, his other family members, and the many called him friend. He was greatly appreciated and is now greatly missed.

Richard Skola (KD7NKW)

January 9, 2015

A man worthy of respect.. The time, and effort he put into church and ham radio kept him in our lives on a weekly basis. To say he is missed is hardly adequate. I extend my sympathy to Sue, his family members, and others who called him friend..

Edwina Walters Edwards

January 9, 2015

Sue, Olan Dale and I were such good friends. I met him when he joined the church. We were at BYU at the same time. He and I went to conference with his press pass when David O. McKay was the prophet. Then, I lost track of him at some point. We spent hours pouring over our blessings. I am so sorry for your lose. I lived in Utah for years and did not know you guys were there. I am back in Texas now.

January 9, 2015

Sue, we send our love and condolences to you from Germany. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.

Gary and Margaret Snow

Arvey Mcfarland

January 9, 2015

For a native-born Texan there may be no greater compliment than that of 'a true Texan', and O.D. Williams was one!

I thoroughly enjoyed serving with O.D. at the Salt Lake temple and until we meet again, I will miss his friendship and wit.

On behalf of Kathryn and my self, our sincere condolences to O.D.'s bride, family, and friends during this difficult time of his passing.

Russ and Becky Hatch

January 9, 2015

Dear Sue,
What a shock to see OD's obituary and feel saddened with you at this time. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We cherish our times together discussing Gospel topics or learning about Ham radios! You are both dear to us!

Jill Dastrup

January 9, 2015

OD was a great.neighbor, friend, and faithful Home Teacher to me. One of my favorite memories will be the gospel discussions we would have where even if he knew more then I did he made me feel that my ideas were were important to him, and of great worth. He encouraged me to study the gospel more deeply. I knew he loved and cared for me. I will never forget a ward fast we had and his delight that I brought him a homemade apple pie to break his fast. I know his love for Sue will only continue to grow and he will be watching and protecting her even as he fulfills his heavenly duties too. And the day will come when we will see him again. Jill Dastrup

January 7, 2015

Sue - I am so sorry for your loss. Although I didn't know you well, I had a sense that you two were very close.
Laurie, SAGE Environmental

Elisa Welling-Higham

January 7, 2015

So sorry for your loss. You and OD truly made an impression on my life. He was maybe the only SS teacher that made me want to learn. God bless you with peace and happy memories.

January 7, 2015

We are saddened to hear of the passing of O.D. Our family has benefited from his willingness to share his knowledge with others. The “Foothill Net” will not be the same without him! Rest in Peace.
The Parkinson Family
KE7AEX
KF7BRL
KF7BRM

Dave Anderson

January 6, 2015

N7OZH – O.D., you are such a GREAT man! Thank you so much for all you have taught me through our involvement in the Foothill Net. I always loved listening to your training on so many subjects – earthquakes, lightbulbs, batteries, rollup J-poles, Harbor Freight sales, emergency operating procedures, Harbor Freight sales, emergency preparedness, Harbor Freight sales, politics, and the list goes on and on! (Harbor Freight sales) :-)

I loved teaching alongside with you our technician class a few years back, and for your operating a field day station at the stake center, where you gave me the chance to make my first HF field day contacts on your rig. I will miss all your support at our stake EP exercises, and your support of our efforts to create the SL Crossroads ARC. Your inspiration, advice, love and excitement for the hobby and dedication made all this possible. I will miss you! Our net will miss you!! And so, so many others you have touched their lives with radio and emergency preparedness will miss you too!!

May Heavenly Father bless your family and friends with his increasing love as they wait to see you again in paradise!

Dave Anderson - KE7ORB

Dave Christensen

January 6, 2015

I am so sorry for your loss but hundreds of people who knew and loved O.D. also share in that loss with you. For more than 15 years O.D. has conducted local amateur radio net meetings and he has the world's record for the longest running disaster training.

He left nothing on the table and should have no regrets for his life. We will miss you.
73 - KD7UM

January 6, 2015

OD my boy, I will and do miss you greatly! It has been a pleasure to meet with you and Sue for all these years and share in your knowledge and testimony. you were quite a Ham and Ham operator! Thanks for all you did for us and the many lives you touched. See ya later, Hopefully in a few K pard! T

January 6, 2015

Only one of so many but an evening at a campsite playing Settlers of Catan at the picnic table. I love you both and you know I always will. God bless you Sue.

Tass

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