Gene Wesley Williams, Sr 22 May 1937 - 1 May 2008 WILLIAMS, Gene Wesley Sr., of Courtland, Va., passed away May 1, 2008. Born and reared in Capron, Va. on May 22, 1937, he was the son of the late Arthur Graver and Fannie Joyner Williams. He was preceded in death by a sister, Daphne Williams Vaughan Dunn of Windsor; and two brothers, Arthur Clifton Williams of Capron and Sidney Thomas Williams of Courtland. A graduate of Chowan College with an Associate Degree in Engineering, Gene Williams completed his education at Virginia Tech. He taught math and science at both Churchland Junior High School in Portsmouth and Greensville County High School in Emporia and he also coached baseball. He was a retired contractor and owner of Indian Town Construction Company. His passion was spending time with his family, playing music and designing and building homes. Gene was a member of the Courtland United Methodist Church where he sang in the church choir and served as a Sunday School teacher, lay leader and chairman of the Administrative Board. He was a charter member of the Courtland Rescue Squad. An active member of the Courtland Ruritan Club, he served as president and later, as the District Governor of the Holland District Additionally, he was also a former member of the Southampton Academy Board of Directors. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Zeannette "Topsy" Roberts Williams; daughter, Beverly Hope and husband, Michael Guiles, of Kitty Hawk, N.C.; daughter, Courtney and husband, Khaled Bitar, of Alexandria, Va.; daughter, Jennifer and husband, Dr. Adam Roca, of Baltimore, Md.; son, Gene W. Williams Jr. and wife, Mandy, of Petersburg, Va. and their two children; granddaughters, Taylor and Katelyn Williams; sister, Erma W. Joyner of Capron; sister, Leona and husband, Lewis Holmes Davis Sr., of Courtland; brother, Dr. David C. Williams and wife, Flora Ann, of Richmond, Va.; brother-in-law, W.E. Roberts and wife, Rhoda, of Williamsburg, Va.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. A funeral service led by the Reverend Richard Gordon will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Courtland United Methodist Church. He will be buried in the Riverside Cemetery of Courtland. Charitable contributions may be made to any of the following: the Courtland United Methodist Church, the Gene Williams Sr. Memorial Scholarship at Southampton Academy or the American Lung Cancer Society. The family will receive friends at the residence. Wright Funeral Home is assisting the family. www.wrightfuneralhome.org. Richmond, Virginia Richmond Times-Dispatch 03 May, 2008 Page B10 Obituary for Gene WILLIAMS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Narrative Summary of the Obituary Gene Wesley Williams Sr., born 22 May 1937, in Capron, Va., passed away 1 May 2008. He was an engineer, teacher, contractor, and community leader. Survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and siblings. ### Narrative Summary of Funeral Services A funeral service for Gene Wesley Williams Sr. was held on 4 May 2008, at Courtland United Methodist Church. He was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Courtland. ### The Edited Obituary Gene Wesley Williams, Sr 22 May 1937 - 1 May 2008 WILLIAMS, Gene Wesley Sr., of Courtland, Va., passed away 1 May 2008. Born and reared in Capron, Va., on 22 May 1937, he was the son of the late Arthur Graver and Fannie Joyner Williams. He was preceded in death by a sister, Daphne Williams Vaughan Dunn of Windsor, and two brothers, Arthur Clifton Williams of Capron and Sidney Thomas Williams of Courtland. A graduate of Chowan College with an Associate Degree in Engineering, Gene Williams completed his education at Virginia Tech. He taught math and science at both Churchland Junior High School in Portsmouth and Greensville County High School in Emporia, and he also coached baseball. He was a retired contractor and owner of Indian Town Construction Company. His passion was spending time with his family, playing music, and designing and building homes. Gene was a member of the Courtland United Methodist Church where he sang in the church choir and served as a Sunday School teacher, lay leader, and chairman of the Administrative Board. He was a charter member of the Courtland Rescue Squad. An active member of the Courtland Ruritan Club, he served as president and later as the District Governor of the Holland District. Additionally, he was also a former member of the Southampton Academy Board of Directors. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Zeannette "Topsy" Roberts Williams; daughter, Beverly Hope and husband, Michael Guiles, of Kitty Hawk, N.C.; daughter, Courtney and husband, Khaled Bitar, of Alexandria, Va.; daughter, Jennifer and husband, Dr. Adam Roca, of Baltimore, Md.; son, Gene W. Williams Jr. and wife, Mandy, of Petersburg, Va., and their two children; granddaughters, Taylor and Katelyn Williams; sister, Erma W. Joyner of Capron; sister, Leona and husband, Lewis Holmes Davis Sr., of Courtland; brother, Dr. David C. Williams and wife, Flora Ann, of Richmond, Va.; brother-in-law, W.E. Roberts and wife, Rhoda, of Williamsburg, Va.; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. A funeral service led by the Reverend Richard Gordon will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Courtland United Methodist Church. He will be buried in the Riverside Cemetery of Courtland. Charitable contributions may be made to any of the following: the Courtland United Methodist Church, the Gene Williams Sr. Memorial Scholarship at Southampton Academy, or the American Lung Cancer Society. The family will receive friends at the residence. Wright Funeral Home is assisting the family. www.wrightfuneralhome.org. Richmond, Virginia Richmond Times-Dispatch 03 May 2008 Page B10 Obituary for Gene WILLIAMS ### Vital Statistics Summary | Name | Gene Wesley Williams Sr. | |---------|----------------------------| | Age | 70 | | Birth | 22 May 1937; Capron, Va. | | Death | 1 May 2008; Courtland, Va. | ### Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |----------------------------------|-----------------------|-------------------| | Gene Wesley Williams Sr. | Decedent | Courtland, Va. | | Zeannette Topsy Roberts Williams | Spouse | Courtland, Va. | | Arthur Graver Williams | Predeceased Parent | -- | | Fannie Joyner Williams | Predeceased Parent | -- | | Beverly Hope | Child | Kitty Hawk, N.C. | | Courtney | Child | Alexandria, Va. | | Jennifer | Child | Baltimore, Md. | | Gene W. Williams Jr. | Child | Petersburg, Va. | | Taylor Williams | Grandchild | Petersburg, Va. | | Katelyn Williams | Grandchild | Petersburg, Va. | | Erma W. Joyner | Sibling | Capron, Va. | | Leona | Sibling | Courtland, Va. | | Dr. David C. Williams | Sibling | Richmond, Va. | | Daphne Williams Vaughan Dunn | Predeceased Sibling | Windsor, Va. | | Arthur Clifton Williams | Predeceased Sibling | Capron, Va. | | Sidney Thomas Williams | Predeceased Sibling | Courtland, Va. | | W.E. Roberts | Brother-in-law | Williamsburg, Va. | ### Other Relevant Information 1. Gene Wesley Williams Sr. was a graduate of Chowan College with an Associate Degree in Engineering. 2. He completed his education at Virginia Tech. 3. Gene taught math and science at Churchland Junior High School in Portsmouth and Greensville County High School in Emporia. 4. He also coached baseball during his teaching career. 5. He was a retired contractor and owner of Indian Town Construction Company. 6. His passions included spending time with his family, playing music, and designing and building homes. 7. Gene was a member of the Courtland United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir and served as a Sunday School teacher, lay leader, and chairman of the Administrative Board. 8. He was a charter member of the Courtland Rescue Squad. 9. Gene was an active member of the Courtland Ruritan Club, serving as president and later as the District Governor of the Holland District. 10. He was a former member of the Southampton Academy Board of Directors. ### Publication Details - Place: Richmond, Virginia - Name: Richmond Times-Dispatch - Date: 03 May 2008 - Page: B10