Willard Call was Lois' grandfather. Much can be found about this great man. Scroll down for links for further reading. Biography in bullet points (http://walkerboot.com/willard-call-2/):
- Had two wives: Adelaide and Leah. Married Adelaide on April 1, 1886
- Born on a big farm. Twentieth in Anson Call’s family.
- Six years old: milked cows and chopped wood
- Fourteen, drove hundred head of hogs into wheat fields.
- Became a member of the second primary association organized in the church
- Was a deacon, teacher, priest, elder, seventy, a high priest, and a bishop’s counselor in the East Bountiful Ward.
- Attended the university, taught school.
- “Partial to a book or the charm of a pretty girl” (Adelaide). Also liked horseback riding.
- Met Adelaide when he taught school—she was a student.
- Merchant for a living. Also was a city councilman in Bountiful, justice of the peace, and deputy sheriff in Davis County.
- Councilor in bishopric, ward clerk, ward teacher
- Claimed to be the first person to preach the gospel in the Philippines when he served in the military there during the Spanish-American War
- 1893 went on a mission to England and traveled in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridge. Visited Scotland, and Ireland. Last seven months of mission president over Norwich conference and returned home July 26, 1895.
- Assisted in organizing a company of Infantry in the National Guard. Made a Sergeant.
- Said to his children about church: “Avoid the rear seats. You can sleep better on the front seats, there will be less to disturb you.”
- Spring of 1898 volunteered to join Spanish-American war. Went to the first presidency for approval of joining war. President Woodruff gave him a blessing and said that Willard would be preserved in war. He had broken ribs as a child that never properly healed, but since the blessing from President Woodruff, they never bothered him again.
- Arrived home from the war January 18, 1899, having been away for nine months, traveled 18,000 miles, and fought in six battles.
- Moved down to Mexico. There, he met and married Leah.
- Lived twelve happy years in Dublan, Mexico.
- Was ward teacher, presidency of young men’s mutual, superintendent of Sunday school, member of stake board of the Sunday school, and stake high council
- Worked at Union Mercantile Co. and then went into business for himself. Walked out on everything when they went back to United States.
- Had to leave Mexico due to strife.
- Willard developed cancer on his face.
- Ordinance worker in Salt Lake Temple.
- Had a policy of keeping out of debt
- Went blind in his old age due to cateracts.
- Always liked to wear a clean, starched white shirt so he was ready when someone would come.
Read the life sketch of Willard
Read talk given by Willard about his father, Anson to the Sons of the Pioneers in 1935
Read about life in Mexico, by Willard
Read article about Willard from Desert News
Read letter from Willard to family members, April 1931
Read selection of Willard Call's Journal
Hi! My name is Miles Tuason, I'm a member of the Pasig 2nd Ward, Pasig Philippines Stake. I belong to a committee tasked by the Philippines Area Presidency to produce a book on the history of the Church in the Philippines. We need information about and images of Willard Call in his calling as one of the first two elders (that includes George Seaman) set apart to preach the gospel in the Philippines. Is it possible if you could email me at iulis21@yahoo.com and miles.tuason@gmail.com? Would appreciate it a lot. Thank you!
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