Thomas Elmo Williams, age 65, passed away at his home after an extended illness and recent hospital stay on March 23, 2022.  He courageously battled Lou Gehrig’s Disease after his diagnosis three years ago.

He was born December 3, 1956 in Glen Dale, West Virginia and graduated from John Marshall High School where he loved playing sports in both school and church leagues. Eventually, he also participated in mining leagues.

Initially, he worked at Fostoria Glass during the early 1970’s before its closing. After completing mining classes in Moundsville, West Virginia, he moved to Hiawatha, Utah for his mining career as a roof bolter for 14 years. His mining career included injuries sustained during a cave-in that ultimately caused him to choose to be a in a new phase in his life – painting. During this time, he attended College of Eastern Utah and was awarded his degree in psychology.

After meeting artist and future life partner, David Richey Johnsen, Tom began painting what he knew best: miners and blue-collar workers. Williams’ work can be found in major collections across the country.

Tom was instrumental in the creation of the Helper Arts Festival and dedicated many years to fundraising for charity events, which supported awareness events and community members.

He will be missed for the passion about the things he loved and enjoyed, his infinite capacity to make friends and his never-ending support for the people of the place he loved so much – Helper, Utah.

Tom was honored by winning a competition that allowed him to create a body of work depicting Park City. Those murals are on display at the Park City Police Department. Area residents also know and love the body of artwork displayed at Castleview Hospital that focuses on iconic sights in Carbon and Emery counties.

He also entered the arena of Helper City politics and won the first ever write-in candidacy in town history.

Tom was known as one of Helper’s town ambassadors, guiding newcomers to the wonders of Helper. He literally never knew a stranger, instead turning every new person into a friend.

Tom’s life will be remembered in his cherished Helper with a candlelight vigil held during Helper’s First Friday event on April 1, 2022. Proceeds from the evening will be donated to the people of Ukraine.

Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Tom online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.