- Date Of Birth: October 17, 1942
- Date Of Death: September 20, 2022
- State: Utah
Diane returned to her loving Heavenly Father surrounded by her family on September 20, 2022. She was born to Wallace E and Alice Harper Smith on October 17, 1942, in Spanish Fork, Utah. Due to World War II, her dad met her for the first time when she was three years old. Diane spent her childhood and teenage years in Roy, Utah. On March 15, 1969, she married the love of her life, Glen Ray Willie. They were later sealed in the Ogden, Utah Temple.
Diane lived a full, rich life. In her early married years, she was the secretary of the Rocky Mountain Rodeo Association. She also started a central entry program for the contestants and was a timer at the rodeos. Diane loved this work.
Professionally, Diane did secretarial work for a firm on Hill Air Force Base. But her heart was with her family, and she followed the promptings to be at home full time with her young children. These were the most enjoyable years of her life.
Diane was an accomplished watercolor artist. Her specialty included portraits and scenery with a western flair. As the recipient of many blue-ribbon awards, her paintings are cherished works of beauty.
Diane and Glen celebrated 53 years of love and companionship. Their marriage was founded in their deep love and commitment to God and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Diane loved spending time with Glen and her family. They attended every sporting event, even if it was a soccer game in pouring rain or a softball tournament where they were wrapped up in layers of blankets. From dance recitals to school events, they were in the audience cheering on their children and grandchildren.
Diane taught her friends and her family how to make Navajo Tacos. Summers meant hot summer days attending local city celebrations where they manned a booth selling Navajo Tacos. The proceeds were used to fund family vacations, including the annual Willie Trip. These summer adventures were Diane’s way of connecting family and building strong bonds of love and friendship.
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Diane felt great love for her Savior. She was service oriented and with her beloved husband, they served a proselyting mission in Ogden, Utah. Other calls she loved included tutoring reading at Millcreek Youth Center, working in the young women’s organization, and serving as Relief Society President. In her later years, she became immersed in genealogy and family history work. And, at the time of her death, she was serving a mission in the Transition Service Office.
Diane’s life was devoted to service to her family. She raised six children. With the birth of her son Brandon, born with Down Syndrome, Diane set a tender example of love and compassion. As Brandon moved through the school system, Diane saw how this special needs population was left out of basic services offered to other children. With her understanding of Down Syndrome children, she helped establish current practices of integrating special needs children into the main-stream classroom. Diane also started the Weber County Down Syndrome Foundation which later became part of the Utah Down Syndrome Foundation. Through her work with this foundation and her service in the church, she made lifelong friends.
Diane’s most joyful days were when her family gathered in her home. Holidays and monthly family home evenings filled her soul with joy. With 6 children and their beloved spouses, 16 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren with 2 more on the way, she established a legacy of love and togetherness. She will be greatly missed.
Diane is preceded in death by her parents Wallace and Alice Smith, her sister Jil Shumway, and her brother Scott Smith. Diane is survived by her husband Glen Willie, her children Brooke Dominguez, Dana (Lyle) Anderson, Justin (Jennifer) Willie, Courtney (Danny) Hammon, Brandon Willie, Joshua (Kristy) Willie.
The family wishes to thank the staff at the ICU Unit at the McKay Dee Hospital for their loving care. They provided love and support at a time of great need.
