Obituaries : Stephonie K. Williams

Stephonie K. Williams, 52, of Vinton, passed away Sunday, April 6, 2025, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids. Graveside service will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 10, 2025, Evergreen Cemetery, Vinton. Van Steenhuyse-Teahen Funeral Home is caring for Stephonie and her family.

Stephonie Kilgrow Williams was born on May 23, 1972 to Don and Linda Kilgrow, the second of five children. From a young age, she built a life full of cherished memories-fishing, hunting, camping, cookouts, and Easter egg hunts in East Canyon, UT. She loved reading "Louis L'Amour's Down the Long Hills" and "Nancy and Plum", and shared in the hard work of building grain bins and later installing spikes in units for Stinger Spike Systems. Every memory was cherished by her and her family.

She graduated from Monticello High School in May, 1989, attended Snow College for a year, and then transferred to the College of Eastern Utah, where she roomed with her sister, Jennifer. Stephonie later served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Canary Islands, Las Palmas Spain Mission.

It was after her mission that she met the love of her life and eternal companion, Paul Williams. They were sealed on August 12, 1999, in the Salt Lake Temple. Together, they were blessed with their amazing and talented daughter, Melinda-Stephonie's pride and joy.

Stephonie was known for coming up with wild and crazy ideas-ideas that often turned out to be unexpectedly brilliant. One of those ideas led to coauthoring a couple of books with her sister Jennifer, which were published by Covenant Communications.

Stephonie was a loving, devoted, and deeply talented woman. Even through the pain and isolation brought on by her health challenges, she persevered. Her struggles never tainted the love and faith she had in the gospel. She was always willing to do something to uplift someone else and despite her many health struggles, she never stopped spreading love and kindness to everyone she could.

Stephonie blessed so many lives with her stitched cards and her paper piecing projects. Just this past year, she lovingly crafted over 100 handmade cards in honor of President Russell M. Nelson's 100th birthday-always thinking of how to brighten someone's day. Even when she became homebound, her thoughts were constantly focused on lifting others.

Her talents didn't end with crafting. Stephonie was incredibly knowledgeable-she could research and learn about any topic-chocolate being one of her favorite subjects. She could take chocolate from cocoa bean to a finished delectable treat that everyone could enjoy.

Stephonie's beautiful smile and contagious laughter were always close at hand. She was our number-one fan, our biggest cheerleader, and a constant source of love. Above all, she loved Paul and Melinda with everything she had-they were her world.

She was preceded in death by her infant sister, Melinda Kilgrow, and her loving service dog, Vashta. She is survived by her husband, Paul Williams; daughter, Melinda Williams; parents, Don and Linda Kilgrow; siblings: Julie Kilgrow, Jennifer (Jack) Clark, and Jared (Jennette) Kilgrow; and many nieces and nephews. She will be deeply missed.

A memorial fund has been established.

Condolences for the family may be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.