Janice Goddard has been named the Honored Pioneer for the 4th of July celebration by the Malad City Council. She will be recognized during the annual Fourth of July parade on Monday July 4th, 2022.

Janice Ardelle Williams Goddard was born November 5, 1936, the daughter of Bland and Ardelle Evans Williams. She is the oldest and only daughter of three children. Her brothers are J.D. (Dennis) Williams and Dan (Wink) Williams. Her father was a cattle buyer, and her mother was a homemaker. Janice lived in a log house in Gwenford (suburb of Samaria) from birth to school age. This log cabin is now located on the road at Ralph Hanson’s property in Deep Creek. Growing up Janice’s Dad taught her to drive a 2-ton and a tractor to help in the wild hay. Her days were spent hanging out with Peggy Smith and the Waldron girls. They enjoyed riding horses and bicycles. 

Janice attended Malad Elementary, Malad Jr. High and graduated from Malad High School in 1954. In high school, Janice played trumpet in the band and was Song Leader. Janice’s three daughters took after her and were also cheerleaders in high school. Some of Janice’s friends in high school were Nancy Davis, Isabel Davis, Mary Jane Jenkins, Diana Scott, Chloe Price and Anna Leigh Reed.  During high school, Janice started dating her future husband, Richard Goddard. They were in the same class, and she thought Richard was nice looking, ambitious, and loving. They fell for each other their senior year and continued dating after graduation. 

Janice attended Steven’s Henagar Business College for one year and Richard joined the Navy in 1955. Richard and Janice were married May 6, 1957, in Bellingham, Washington where Richard was stationed in the Navy.   Janice stayed in Washington with him; and Debbie, their oldest daughter, was born in Oak Harbor, Washington. Janice and Debbie lived in Washington until Richard was stationed to Japan and later Bermuda. That is when Janice and Debbie moved home to Malad. 

When Richard got out of the Navy in 1960, they lived in Malad and St. John. Susan was born in 1961 and Denise followed in 1963. When the lease of the Williams’ family ranch was up, Janice and Richard moved to the white ranch house on the farm in Gwenford in 1967.  There were many Sunday drives around the Malad Valley to look at farms and then to the Drive-In for a frosty. The Goddard’s were on a 5-party telephone line with the Rex and Marie Waldron family, Platt and Phyliss Price family, Arthur and Peggy Smith family and Lew Waldron. With all those teenagers it was always a challenge to use the phone. 

Janice started working at Ren’s Chevrolet in 1969. She was only going to work for six weeks while Edith Williams was out on medical leave. Six weeks turned into 27 years.  Janice thoroughly enjoyed her years at Ren’s Chev. September was always fun when the new model of vehicles arrived.

In 1994 Richard and Janice sold the ranch and moved in town to Malad. They had fun years traveling with each other and finishing the basement in the new house.  In the fall of 1999, Richard was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died within a few short months on December 1, 1999. After this Janice spent her time watching her grandsons and caring for her mother.  In 2016 Janice’s family took her to Hawaii to celebrate her 80th birthday.

Janice was a very active member of the Trail’s End Cowbells organization and served a term as President and attended the Idaho Cattleman Association annual meeting. For many years she oversaw the saddle drawing during the Oneida County Rodeo. 

Bowling is a big part of Janice’s life. Janice started bowling in 1960 and continued until October 2018 when she suffered a stroke. Janice bowled on the Wednesday Midnight League and later with the Tuesday Pinpoppers and bowled for Ren’s Chev and later Malad Drive-In. Janice served as secretary of the league from 1981 to 2018. On May 14, 2001, Janice was inducted into the Cecil John Bowling Hall of Fame with her friend and fellow teammate Betty Kay Gardner.  They reminisced about state tournaments in their early bowling years, noting they often bowled in dresses and took along fancy party dresses to change into after bowling. Janice bowled in nine national bowling tournaments with lifelong friends, Fran Williams, Betty Kay Gardner, Peggy Smith, Gaylene Willie, Carol Anna Jones, Sheila Clark, Shelia Hawkins, Mary Ann Tracy, Saundra Hubbard, Twylla Price, and Nannette Shaw. 

Janice’s interests have been gardening, ceramics and toll painting. Janice was very skilled at knitting. She knitted many sweaters. She was especially proud of a red coat and a Hereford Bull sweater. Decorating for Christmas is also a joy for Janice. Her home was on the Christmas Parade of Homes and she also won the Christmas lighting contest with help of her grandsons, JP and Justin. 

In October 2018, Janice suffered a stroke paralyzing the left side of her body.  Her years of independence came to an end, but she has a whole new community of friends and people who love her. She is currently residing at Maple Springs Assisted Living Center in Brigham City, Utah. She enjoys bingo and ceramics. For her 85th birthday she gave all her grandchildren a ceramic she had painted.

Janice’s greatest joy is her family. Janice’s children are Craig and Debbie Thompson, John (deceased) and Susan Wittman, and Bob and Denise Hansen. Janice is Granny to eleven grandchildren: Kim, Melissa, Melanie, Shaun, Tammy, Stefanie, Rob, Rich, Ryan, J.P. and Justin. She also has twenty great-grandchildren. 

Janice says she loves Malad and is honored to be chosen as this year’s Honored Pioneer.