COURTLAND—Deacon Wilbert “Will B” Williams Sr. departed this life September 12, 2012, at his home in Courtland, Va.

The Southampton County native was born August 3, 1934, to the late Herman Williams Sr. and the late Delia Crocker Williams.

He attended Ridley Public School in Southampton County and later became a Licensed Class “A” Contractor. He formed his own construction company in 1979, which is officially known as “Wilbert Williams and Sons Building Contractor Inc.”

Wilbert accepted Christ at an early age and joined Bryant Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend Zollicoffer. In his later years, he began to attend Sunday School on a regular basis and was ordained as a Deacon in the early 1960s.

He was very instrumental in the construction of the existing church that was completed in 1977. Deacon Wilbert held several positions in the church such as Chairman of the Trustee Board, Superintendent of the Sunday school and Church Treasurer.

Wilbert was joined in marriage on July 24, 1956, to Mahala Drew Williams who stood by his side until her death in 1992.

From that union two children were born; Wilbert Jr. (Chucky) and Kenneth Levar (Ken).

He was also preceded in death by a grandson, Ruben Miles Gholston; sister, Emma Lou Boykins; and brother, Herman Williams Jr.

Wilbert leaves to cherish his memories, three sons, Chucky and Ken (Courtland, VA) and Ruben Gholston (Petersburg, VA); two daughters-in-law, Toni Williams and Sherida Gholston; three grandchildren, Shakita Blow, Justin Gholston and Laila Williams; three sisters, Mary Porter (Portsmouth, VA), Barbara Harris (Courtland, VA) and Eunice Wilson (Suffolk); a brother, Milton Williams, Sr. (Goldie) (Suffolk, VA); two brothers-in-law, Melvin Drew (Garysburg, N.C.) and Frank Drew (Carolyn) (Martinsville, ND); devoted friend and caregiver, Minnie Long; nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.

A wake will be held on Sunday, September 16, 2012, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Engram Funeral Home, 1001 Armory Drive, Franklin.

A Homegoing Service will be held on Monday, September 17, 2012 at noon at Bryant Baptist Church, 23375 Bryant Church Road, Courtland, VA. Interim Pastor James B. Hill will be presiding over the service. Pastor Elijah Barnes of Revelle Hill Baptist Church, Conway, N.C. and First Baptist Church, Severn, N.C. will deliver the Eulogy. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

A final tribute service will be held by Engram Funeral Home.

Please share your condolences with the family at www.engramfuneralhome.com.