Yvonne Willoughby

    Alice Yvonne Willoughby, known by those who loved her as Nan, elected to spend the upcoming holidays in the arms of her much beloved husband and so passed away Saturday December 16, 2017 at the age of 79.
    Yvonne was the proud matriarch to a large family, with eleven grandchildren: Alisha, Amber, Jared, John, Lindsi, Tara, Heather, Jennifer, Erin, Shane and Shawn. She was also a great-grandmother to 28 children, and finally, a great-great grandmother once over.
    Yvonne was born on April 6, 1938 to Alice Spor Strader and Johnnie F. Strader in Delta, Utah.  She met her eternal companion, Harry E. Willoughby in April 1955.  The same day they met, Harry declared to Yvonne’s sister, Kathleen, that Yvonne was the woman he was going to marry.  On November 1st of that same year, after just seven months of courtship, Harry and Yvonne eloped in Evanston, WY.
    Yvonne devoted her life to her husband’s career in the United States Air Force and in the raising of their family.  Harry’s work took Yvonne and their two children around the world and on countless adventures, of which Yvonne loved recounting stories.   Yvonne was also an avid animal lover.  To know Yvonne was to know and love her animals, who were inevitably spoiled rotten.  Yvonne also had a fondness for HSN, QVC, cooking shows, and her ever-present Diet Pepsi.  
    Harry and Yvonne settled in Cottonwood, Arizona in 1984 where they proceeded to spoil their multitude of grandchildren and became beloved figures within the local LDS church congregation.  Harry’s passing in 2015 saw Yvonne’s move back to Utah to be with her daughter, DeAnn, who took loving care of Yvonne in her final years.
    Yvonne is survived by her children David Willoughby (Debra)of San Tan Valley, Arizona and DeAnn Nelson (Terry) of Roosevelt, Utah; sisters, Kathleen Johnston and Sharlene Green, and her beloved dog, Holly.  She is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Harry Edward Willoughby, her parents Alice Spor Strader Larsen and Johnnie Strader, and her brother, Kim J. Strader.
    Yvonne’s legacy is that of incredible love and humor, exquisite style and grace.  She will undoubtedly be remembered for generations through the stories her posterity will pass on.
    Memorial services to be announced.

“Death is not the end.  It is putting out the candle because the dawn has come.” --Thomas S. Monson