Donald Dhu Williford

June 23, 1923 - June 1, 2015

Donald (Don) Dhu Williford died peacefully on June 1, 2015 at the home of his son, Roger Kinney. Don was born on June 23, 1923 at San Francisco, California. He was raised near Weott, California until he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943. Don was a turret gunner, flying in a B-24 Liberator, until his aircraft was shot down in occupied territory. Don, one of the few survivors of the aircraft, made his way back to friendly lines. He was honorably discharged at the end of World War Two. Don was a country boy at heart. He was an extraordinarily gifted outdoorsman and fished and hunted well into his 80’s. Don was raised in California’s redwood country and made his living logging before moving to Salt Lake City, Utah in the 1950’s. Don was an extremely talented craftsman and could build almost anything. He was also an inventor and designer. Don invented, designed and built the first horizontal drill rig used in Utah. Don was preceded in death by his wife Joy and is survived by four sons, Roger Kinney, and his wife Patsy, David Williford and his wife Tanna, John Sims, and his wife Judy, and Charles Williford, as well as numerous grand and great grandchildren. At Don’s request there will be no viewing or funeral. He is to be cremated and his ashes taken to Alaska.