Gerald Williams Obituary Gerald S. Williams April 27, 1935 - December 27, 2015 Yale - Gerald S. Williams, 80, of Yale, formerly of Courtland, passed away on December 27, 2015 in Franklin, VA. He was born in Newsoms, Virginia, son of the late Jimmie Ryan Williams and Lonie Drake Williams. He was predeceased by his first wife of 45 years, Ann Story Williams. Left to cherish his memory are wife, Virginia Carr Williams of Yale, a sister, Ann Williams Jones of Mechanicsville, and an aunt, Josephine Futrell Sumner of Franklin. He is survived by his children, Sharon and Mike Wills of Louisa, Susan and Tim Blanks of Lynchburg, and Jim and Kim Williams of Courtland and grandchildren, Mary Michael W. Cantrell, Cameron Wills, Meghan B. Jester, Kelsey Blanks, Matt Blanks , James Williams, Sarah Williams, and Josh Williams and one great grandchild, Thomas Cantrell. Gerald graduated from Boykins High School and left home to attend Virginia Polytechnic Institute, receiving a B.S. in Agricultural Education. While at VPI, he was a pitcher on the baseball team and served proudly in the Corp of Cadets. Upon his graduation in 1956 he served in the U.S. Army Reserves. He married Ann and moved to Smithfield to teach and coach at Smithfield High School. In 1961 he began working for the Royster Fertilizer Company in Virginia Beach and soon moved to Courtland to manage the Royster Fertilizer office there. It was not long before he made his final career change to farming which he loved until his health caused him to retire. Gerald was a member of Courtland United Methodist Church since 1963, teaching Sunday School and serving in various leadership roles. He attended Antioch Baptist Church after moving to Yale. He was very active in the Courtland Ruritan Club and was a charter member of the Courtland Rescue Squad. Gerald, who always wore a Virginia Tech cap, enjoyed his many summers spent at the DeCharmarnel Park in Kitty Hawk, NC., especially when the fish were biting. An avid sports fan, he enjoyed following athletics at Southampton Academy with his children and later supported his grandchildren, on the field, in the gym and on the performance stage. A graveside service will be held at 2PM Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at Riverside Cemetery, Courtland with Pastor Michael Gregory officiating. The family will receive friends at Wright Funeral Home, Franklin Monday from 6 to 8 PM and suggests in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gerald s memory to the Village at Woods Edge - Asa s Neighborhood, 1401 North High Street, Franklin, VA 23851, www.wrightfuneralhome.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See also: 1) https://www.wrightfuneralhome.org/obituary/3536326 2) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/pilotonline/name/gerald-williams-obituary?id=16372668 3) https://www.pilotonline.com/obituaries/gerald-s-williams-yale-va/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ## Narrative Summary of the Obituary Gerald S. Williams, 80, passed away on 27 December 2015. A graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute, he was a dedicated educator and farmer. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and an aunt, leaving a lasting legacy in his community. ## Narrative Summary of Funeral Services A graveside service for Gerald S. Williams was held on 29 December 2015 at Riverside Cemetery in Courtland. The family received friends at Wright Funeral Home in Franklin the evening prior to the service. ## The Edited Obituary Gerald S. Williams 27 April 1935 - 27 December 2015 Yale - Gerald S. Williams, 80, of Yale, formerly of Courtland, passed away on 27 December 2015 in Franklin, VA. He was born in Newsoms, Virginia, son of the late Jimmie Ryan Williams and Lonie Drake Williams. He was predeceased by his first wife of 45 years, Ann Story Williams. Left to cherish his memory are wife, Virginia Carr Williams of Yale, a sister, Ann Williams Jones of Mechanicsville, and an aunt, Josephine Futrell Sumner of Franklin. He is survived by his children, Sharon and Mike Wills of Louisa, Susan and Tim Blanks of Lynchburg, and Jim and Kim Williams of Courtland and grandchildren, Mary Michael W. Cantrell, Cameron Wills, Meghan B. Jester, Kelsey Blanks, Matt Blanks, James Williams, Sarah Williams, and Josh Williams and one great grandchild, Thomas Cantrell. Gerald graduated from Boykins High School and left home to attend Virginia Polytechnic Institute, receiving a B.S. in Agricultural Education. While at VPI, he was a pitcher on the baseball team and served proudly in the Corps of Cadets. Upon his graduation in 1956 he served in the U.S. Army Reserves. He married Ann and moved to Smithfield to teach and coach at Smithfield High School. In 1961 he began working for the Royster Fertilizer Company in Virginia Beach and soon moved to Courtland to manage the Royster Fertilizer office there. It was not long before he made his final career change to farming which he loved until his health caused him to retire. Gerald was a member of Courtland United Methodist Church since 1963, teaching Sunday School and serving in various leadership roles. He attended Antioch Baptist Church after moving to Yale. He was very active in the Courtland Ruritan Club and was a charter member of the Courtland Rescue Squad. Gerald, who always wore a Virginia Tech cap, enjoyed his many summers spent at the DeCharmarnel Park in Kitty Hawk, NC, especially when the fish were biting. An avid sports fan, he enjoyed following athletics at Southampton Academy with his children and later supported his grandchildren, on the field, in the gym and on the performance stage. A graveside service will be held at 2 PM Tuesday, 29 December 2015 at Riverside Cemetery, Courtland with Pastor Michael Gregory officiating. The family will receive friends at Wright Funeral Home, Franklin Monday from 6 to 8 PM and suggests in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gerald's memory to the Village at Woods Edge - Asa's Neighborhood, 1401 North High Street, Franklin, VA 23851, www.wrightfuneralhome.org ### Vital Statistics Summary | Name | Gerald S. Williams | |---------|--------------------------------| | Age | 80 years | | Birth | 27 April 1935; Newsoms, VA | | Death | 27 December 2015; Franklin, VA | ### Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |--------------------------|------------------|--------------------| | Gerald S. Williams | Decedent | Yale, VA | | Virginia Carr Williams | Spouse | Yale, VA | | Ann Williams Jones | Sister | Mechanicsville, VA | | Josephine Futrell Sumner | Aunt | Franklin, VA | | Sharon Wills | Child | Louisa, VA | | Susan Blanks | Child | Lynchburg, VA | | Jim Williams | Child | Courtland, VA | | Mary Michael W. Cantrell | Grandchild | Unknown | | Cameron Wills | Grandchild | Unknown | | Meghan B. Jester | Grandchild | Unknown | | Kelsey Blanks | Grandchild | Unknown | | Matt Blanks | Grandchild | Unknown | | James Williams | Grandchild | Unknown | | Sarah Williams | Grandchild | Unknown | | Josh Williams | Grandchild | Unknown | | Thomas Cantrell | Great Grandchild | Unknown | ### Other Relevant Information 1. Gerald S. Williams was born on 27 April 1935 in Newsoms, Virginia. 2. He graduated from Boykins High School and attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute, where he received a B.S. in Agricultural Education. 3. Gerald was a pitcher on the baseball team at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and served in the Corps of Cadets. 4. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves after graduating in 1956. 5. Gerald taught and coached at Smithfield High School before working for the Royster Fertilizer Company. 6. He later transitioned to farming, a career he loved until health issues forced him to retire. 7. Gerald was a member of Courtland United Methodist Church since 1963, where he taught Sunday School and held various leadership roles. 8. He was active in the Courtland Ruritan Club and was a charter member of the Courtland Rescue Squad. 9. Gerald enjoyed summers at DeCharmarnel Park in Kitty Hawk, NC, and was a dedicated sports fan, supporting his children and grandchildren in their athletic pursuits.