COURTLAND—Gene Wesley Williams Sr., died May 1, 2008.

Born and reared in Capron, Virginia on May 22, 1937, he was the son of the late Arthur Grover 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, Mr. 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; 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 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.

Survivors include 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; daughter, Jennifer and husband Dr. Adam Roca of Baltimore, Md.; son, Gene W. Williams Jr. and wife Mandy of Petersburg, 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; brother-in-law W.E. Roberts and wife Rhoda of Williamsburg, 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.

Condolences may be offered at www.wrightfuneralhome.org