Warren Ricks Widdison

1925 - 2024

Warren Ricks Widdison, 98, passed away on January 8, 2024, at his home in Nampa, Idaho, of natural causes incident to age. He was born to William Ervin and Reba Ricks Widdison on August 21, 1925, in Hibbard, Idaho. He was the fourth of ten children.

Warren grew up in Hibbard on a 32-acre truck garden farm. He was a good brother and friend. He learned at an early age to work hard and be dependable. He loved animals, especially horses. He enjoyed spending time with his grandparents and other extended family members. He attended grade school in Hibbard and graduated from Madison High School in Rexburg. He enjoyed school, especially shop and ag. For an ag project one year, he raised squash on a hill that didn't have water running to it. At harvest time, he hauled in 18 tons of squash. Warren also learned to type and was an excellent typist all his adult life.

Warren married Norma Niederer on November 19, 1943, in the Logan Utah temple. They met on a blind date, but Warren had seen Norma many times before and admired her very much. Eleven days after their marriage, Warren entered the Army Air Corps to serve in World War II. As a ball turret gunner on a B-17, he flew 35 missions over Europe.

After the war, Warren attended Ricks College and various banking schools. He and Norma raised their three daughters in Rexburg, Idaho, and they enjoyed a wonderful family life. Warren worked for First Security Bank for 39 years. He became a bank manager and later a vice president over marketing and public relations. He loved his job, especially the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives. He was a member of the Lions Club and the Kiwanis Club, and he was president of the Rexburg Chamber of Commerce. He served as treasurer of the Madison School District, a position that he held for 19 years. He also served as treasurer of the American Red Cross, the March of Dimes, and the American Heart Association. He was chosen as Ricks College's first Businessman of the Year. Despite all of Warren's service and work responsibilities, he always devoted his best effort to his family.

After Norma's death, Warren married Joan Harris of Nampa on May 10, 1985. They moved to Nampa and worked together in Joan's interior decorating business. They enjoyed a beautiful life together and spent much of their time doing kind things for neighbors, researching family history, and pursuing other hobbies. Warren loved fixing things, collecting coins and stamps, gardening, and hosting family gatherings.

Warren was a man of integrity and spiritual strength. He found great joy in serving others, learning from others, and sharing his own wealth of experience with others. He told stories to inspire those around him and bring them joy. As a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Warren served in many ward and stake leadership positions, including stake patriarch and counselor in the stake presidency. He also served in the Boise Temple presidency, and he and Joan served a mission in the Madrid Spain temple. Through his many years of faithful service and countless messages of hope and encouragement, Warren touched thousands of lives!

Warren is survived by Lynn (Lola) Widdison, brother; Lucille (Carl) Simmers, sister; Sharon (David) Jackson and Dianne (Tom) Suddeth, daughters; Deon (Mo) Miller, stepdaughter; Lamar (Debbie) Harris, stepson; 22 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, five brothers, his daughter Cindy, and his wives Norma and Joan.

Funeral services will take place at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at the Nampa 10th Ward building at 927 Ruth Ln. in Nampa, Idaho. Viewings will be held on Tuesday, January 16, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Zeyer Funeral Chapel, and on Wednesday, January 17, from 10:00 to 10:45 AM (prior to the funeral service) at the Nampa 10th Ward building. Interment will take place on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at 2:30 PM at the Sutton Cemetery in Archer, Idaho.