Mark Detarr Williams

Mark Detarr Williams was a driven man. He followed his passion and began his culinary journey at a very early age, from competing and winning multiple cooking competitions, to helping his mom with her catering business. He poured his love into every project, and I think that is why he was such a great chef. After he served in the US ARMY, he continued cooking. I met him at the University of Utah hospital in Salt Lake City. “Mr. Grumpy pants” was the nickname I gave him, and as a matter of fact I actually made him a shirt saying that when we first started dating. He had a very hard shell, or at least that's what he wanted the world to think. The truth is that he was a marshmallow inside, considerate, loving and silly.
The sign of a great leader is how you train people to follow in your footsteps, which Mark excelled at. He trained me, mentored me, and taught me lessons beyond just cooking. I learned how to be a better manager, how to navigate politics at work better, how to deal with complicated bosses etc. The second day I worked with him, he said a phrase that scared me off. We finished plating and he said “That was pretty cool what I did there right? Wanna make out?” I ran so fast because it was weird and scary, not to mention inappropriate. I laugh now, because it just shows how determined he was, and after we got married, he always said he knew I was going to marry him. I didn’t, but I’m glad I did. He only had to ask 3 times, and I am super grateful he did. We did all sorts of catering together and even started a booth here in St. George.
Mark was a passionate husband, he used to pick flowers to bring them home very often. People always though and commented that our silly adventures were my idea, but they were surprised to learn that they were his. From throwing our dog a costume party, Pokémon go dates on the park, acting in our friend’s music video, making a Rap song complaining about our dog, texting me the stupidest dad jokes and puns, moving our penguin lawn decoration around the front lawn and creating the most random stories about it, Mark always knew how to cheer me up. Who can forget the famous squirrel dance he would use specially in inappropriate times to make me laugh?
He was my husband, and I am absolutely destroyed that my rock has left before me. I also know that no words can come close to making me or anyone else feel better. With that being said, I am happy to share his last words to me from that morning.
“I love you, be a bitch like you are, don’t let them intimidate you, you’ll be fine. Oh and bring me food!”
Obviously, we didn’t expect this to happen, and those words were referring to some work-related stuff. But I think it still counts, and I find comfort in them. I loved my husband, and he loved me. All I can say is that I will miss him the very most and I am grateful he gave me a chance to say goodbye. He can rest peacefully now.

- Julia Williams


Mark and I met September of 2012, he was my first introduction to the University of Utah’s Hospital and Clinics food service program. Mark and I had a connection right from the beginning. We were both United State Army Veterans and approximately of the same age. Mark had this certain rough edge that he portrayed but, in all reality, he was a kind soft hearted individual. Mark had lots of button that I would like to push and then watch him go off on his harmless yet entertaining rants. Mark took great pride in his abilities as a culinarian, and this was represented in his performance as we work together. Mark was a dear friend and will be miss dearly. I would like to celebrate the life of my dear friend and to remember the laughter, love, and joy he brought into our lives. May his memory continue to inspire and uplift us as we navigate this world without him. Together, we can honor his legacy and cherish the moments we shared.
- Executive Chef Craig Orlando

A Celebration of Life will be held on August 11th at 10:00am at Affordable Funerals and Cremations located at 157 E. Riverside Drive Suite 3A, St George, Utah 84790.
Military honors will be provided by the local American Legion Post and the U. S. Army.