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FRANKLIN

Deacon Bernard Williams of Washington Avenue, Franklin, transitioned from this life on April 1, 2020, in Southampton Memorial Hospital.

Bernard was born to the late Hilmer and Hattie Williams on Sept. 16, 1949.

The Isle of Wight native was a member of Piney Grove Baptist Church Franklin, where he served as a Deacon and Assistant Sunday School Superintendent.

He was employed by and retired from Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) after 30 years of service. He also worked for and retired from Isle of Wight County Department of Parks and Recreation after 10 years.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 26 years, Zenobia Williams, who he affectionately called “SugaBaby;” one daughter, Patrina Walker (Gregory) of Williamsburg; two sons, Tony Williams (Sharron) of Portsmouth and Kevin Williams (Katrina) of Ahoskie, North Carolina; three stepdaughters, Adrienne Montalvo (Pedro) of Wilmington, North Carolina, Andrea Goodwyn of Windsor and Tonya Lane of Franklin; one goddaughter, Akeyla Ruffin of North Carolina; two sisters, Sherry Smith (Nathan) of Carrollton and Mary Byrd (Willie) of Tacoma, Washington; two brothers, Herman Williams of Franklin and Clarence Williams (Helen) of Hampton; 20 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; one uncle, Wedge Williams of Franklin; two sisters-in-law, Joyce Bynum of Portsmouth and Carolyn Claiborne of Atlanta, Georgia; one brother-in-law, James “Steve” Barnes (Cynthia) of Northern Virginia; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family, and friends.

His son, Darrell D. Williams, and three brothers, Hilmer Williams Jr., Ernest Williams and Michael Leroy “Pimp” Williams, predeceased him.

The service for Deacon Williams will be private, however a family and public viewing will be held on Tuesday at the following times: family viewing, 9 to 11 a.m.; public viewing 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Flowers can be sent to the funeral home.

The Williams family will have a public celebration of life at a later date. A service with dignity will be conducted by Wm. M. Johnson & Sons Funeral Home, Inc., 224 S. Main St.

Please share your condolences with the family at wmjohnsonandsons.com.