Benjamin A. Williams, Jr.

Courtland – Benjamin Atticus Williams Jr, 90, died January 16, 2010 after a short illness. Born November 6, 1919, Ben was the son of Benjamin A. Williams Sr. and Ida Davis Williams. He was married to the late Corinne M. Williams. He is survived by his son, Benjamin A. Williams III and his wife, Nancy S. Williams, of Hampton and his son, Dr. Robert B. Williams and his wife, Helen B. Williams, of Richmond. Four grandchildren, Johanna W. Roberts, and her husband, Brian J. Roberts, of San Francisco, California, B. Hunter Williams of Norfolk, Lucy M. Williams of Newport, Rhode Island and Claire M. Williams of San Francisco, California and three great grandchildren, Davis, Carter and Corinne Roberts of San Francisco, California. A graduate of Courtland High School, he attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and Washington & Lee University School of Law. He was member of the Courtland United Methodist Church. Ben was a veteran of World War II, serving as a Captain in the 180th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Infantry Division in the European theater. He was awarded a Bronze Star for valor, three Purple Hearts, and a Combat Infantryman Badge. After the war he was admitted to the Virginia State Bar in 1959, after which he practiced law in Courtland, later serving as Town Judge, County Judge, and Clerk of the Southampton County Circuit Court until 1977 when he was elected by the General Assembly as a judge for the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Virginia, serving the Counties of Isle of Wight and Southampton and the City of Suffolk. After his retirement he was appointed as a substitute Judge in many of the Judicial Circuits in Southern and Central Virginia. He was particularly proud of his service to his country and to the Commonwealth.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at the Courtland United Methodist Church on Main Street in Courtland. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to the Southampton County Historical Society, c/o Linda Updike, 33335 Statesville Road, Newsoms, Virginia 23874 or to your favorite charity or cause. Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, is assisting the family. www.wrightfuneralhome.org