My half-great-great-uncle. The following bio is from "George Williams: A Pocatello Pioneer," by Emmons N. Williams, originally written while Melvin was still alive. Tense has been changed from present to past to reflect his death.

Like the other Williams children, Melvin was born in the old house at 606 South 2nd Avenue at Pocatello in 1908. He was a lively little fellow who always had lots of friends in the neighborhood. His schooling was in the "portables," Whittier, & Pocatello High School until the 10th grade.

Melvin remembered his childhood at the old home where he helped carry water from the outside hydrant to do the washing in the old-fashioned washer which was rigged up to an electric motor so it would not have to be operated by hand. He also recalled his duties in keeping the coal stoves in the house supplied with fuel from the outside shed. During summers he often spent a part of his vacation time with [half-brothers] Stanley & Grant at the ranch at Garden Creek.

After his school years Melvin worked at a variety of jobs. He was a carman apprentice for 5 months, iced refrigerated cars (carried 300-pound blocks of ice from winter storage to the cars) for Pacific Fruit Express, & drove a truck & filled drums for Continental Oil Company. He finally decided to get some training in auto mechanics at the vocational department of the Idaho Technical Institute, now Idaho State University.

While he was studying auto mechanics, Melvin also did garage work part-time. Later he worked for the Royal Coach Transit Company as a mechanic & driver, handling routes north as far as Butte, Montana. In 1928 Melvin accepted work with Shaw Auto Company, eventually specializing in auto parts for a number of parts firms in Pocatello.

In 1942 Melvin joined the United States Army & served in the 91st Infantry Division based in North Africa & Italy. Three years later, when he returned from military service, Melvin resumed employment in auto supply services. He retired in 1980 from the Electric Service Company after a long career in the auto supply business.

Gwen Wright & Melvin were married in 1938. Their first child, Kaye, was born 3 months after he entered military service. After World War II they had a son, Gordon, & another daughter, Claire. As of 1982 they were blessed with 8 grandchildren.

Fishing, camping & traveling around the West were always favorite activities for the family. They enjoyed taking care of their flower & vegetable gardens at the beautiful home they built on a hillside south of Pocatello. For many years Melvin & Gwen lived at 1053 East Lovejoy in the duplex where his mother spent her later years. As of 1982 they enjoyed taking trips to visit with friends & relatives in various parts of the West.

Melvin died in 1988; Gwen followed in 2002.