COURTLAND–Ralph Thornton Williams, 57, passed away January 11, 2012.

Born in Norfolk, he was a son of the late Ralph Shelton and Alice Dunreath Thornton Williams. He was a former Southampton County farmer, cabinet and furniture maker and was retired from the Maintenance Department of International Paper Co. Ralph was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He hunted deer and turkey in this area and was especially known as a skilled bow hunter. He had a tremendous respect for nature and shared his knowledge with others. Ralph was a member of Courtland United Methodist Church.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Leah-Beth Thomas Williams; daughter, Leannah Evelyn Williams; son, Ryan Shelton Williams; cousins, Betty Edwards, Linda Raiford, Peggy Bass, Jeannie Fuller, Sandra Hightower, Ann Speight, Joyce Wilmot, and Russell Hill; his mother-in-law, Beth Thomas; brother-in-law, Jay Thomas and his wife, Cathy and their son, Jack Thomas and Ralph’s beloved squirrel dog, Sadie.

A memorial service will be held at Courtland United Methodist Church at 2 pm Saturday, January 14, 2012 with the Rev. Brandon Robbins officiating. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the service and suggests in lieu of flowers memorial be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Southeast VA Chapter, 6350 Center Drive, Suite 102, Norfolk, VA 23502 or Courtland Methodist Church, 22416 Main St., Courtland, VA 23837.

Wright Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. The family would like to thank Ralph’s caregivers, Josephine Ellsworth and the staff at Greenfield Reflections in Petersburg for their wonderful and loving care. www.wrightfuneralhome.org.