He is survived by the love of his life of 58 years, Phyllis Hughes Williams, one son, Jeff Williams (Penny), two daughters, Phyllis Pate (Tim), Susan Robertson (Jerry), one brother Rex Williams, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leon F. Williams, Sr., and Sadie Scurlock Williams, his sister, Mary Grace Campbell, a brother, Leon F. Williams, Jr. and great grandson, Noah Graham Williams.
He graduated from New Bern High School and joined the military at age 18. He proudly served in the Army National Guard for 18 months and then joined the US Air Force and served a four year tour. An opportunity to begin working with his father to help establish Williams Oil Company brought him back to New Bern to stay. He owned and operated Williams Oil Company with his father and brother Leon and was a distributor of Texaco products until 1984 when he first “retired.” Within a couple of years he found another opportunity and established Williams Hardware and Farm Center which he operated for many years until selling the business to his brother Rex, when he once again “retired.” Very shortly thereafter, he began working with Arthur Farms and continued there for over 20 years, loving every minute of it. He was a farmer at heart and loved to drive farm equipment, especially tractor trailers. He drove oil tankers for the Oil Company, and later delivered a variety of vegetables, cotton and anything else produced at the Farm across eastern North Carolina. He had an incredibly strong work ethic as did his father before him.
Other activities included his work as a volunteer fireman, former chief and charter member of Township 7 Fire Department. He was a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite Bodies and the Shrine. He also found time to enjoy himself. He loved to attend Nascar races in his earlier life, attending 10 plus races a year and cheering for Richard Petty. Many Sunday afternoons were spent with his family and listening to the races on the radio. He raced his street car at the drag races for a number of years early in his life. He loved to fish nets and would go almost every Sunday night catching and supplying fish for friends, family and church events. He also had great friends from Knotts Island, where he would frequently go to duck hunt. He went many times to Canada and joined them each year for over 50 years at an annual fly fishing event. He and Phyllis each had a profound love of the ocean and spent time and family vacations there virtually every year of their adult lives.
He was brought up in Riverdale United Methodist Church and began a life-long love and devotion to the Lord. His parents had him in church every Sunday and his own family was brought up the same way. He held many leadership positions in the church. He was a very generous man, helping many in the community very privately and never wanted anyone to know what he had done for others. He gave generously to many individuals and charities, both of his time and his resources. He believed in treating everyone equally and with respect, no matter their walk of life. He was a man of strong principles; values, character and grace, and he will be greatly missed.
A celebration of his life will be held at Riverdale United Methodist Church on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at 2:00 pm. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that gifts be made to Riverdale United Methodist Church – Snack Pack Project 5195 US Hwy. 70, New Bern, NC 28562.
Special thanks for the wonderful support given to him and the family by Craven County Hospice and Assisting at Home.
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