George Harrison Williams Jr.

George Harrison Williams, Jr., 78, born Oct. 31, 1939, a native of the “Cockade City” Petersburg, VA. and also of Richmond and Waverly, VA as well as of Hatteras Island, the Outer Banks, NC, passed away Aug. 28, 2018 of cancer. He was the only son of the late Dr. George Harrison Williams, Sr. and the late Trula Call. He was a beloved son, father, former husband of Anita Gallion Williams of 19 years, and of Elizabeth Morton Goode Vaden Reid “Betsy” of 32 years. He was a great patriot of our country, a republican, captain, leader, businessman, mentor, and loyal friend to many. He graduated from Petersburg High School where he lettered in football 1955-1958, a sport he loved. He was an avid fan of the Washington Redskins, and faithfully never missed watching a game. He graduated from Randolph Macon College in 1963 and was a member of the Virginia Zeta Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. He served in the Virginia Air National Guard in 1963 with the 192nd D Tactical Fighter Group. He was a furniture store owner at Foushee and Broad St. in Richmond and then later owned Manufacturers Furniture Outlet on Hull St., also in Richmond. He obtained his Captain’s License from the U.S. Coast Guard in 1980 to operate and navigate passenger carrying vessels which he used to operate a charter fishing business out of Hatteras, NC. He is survived by his daughter, Carol Mason Williams Butler; his son, George Harrison Williams, III (Heidi); and Betsy’s children, Douglas Reid (Leah), Elizabeth Sword (Gary) and Carter Reid (Lee); as well as 9 grandchildren, Mason McPhail Butler, John-Henry, Katherine, Carol Anne, James, Becca, Casey, Vaden and Latané. A graveside service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 8, 2018 at Blandford Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Ragland Mansion, 205 S. Sycamore, Petersburg, VA 23803. The family is being served by J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, if there are those inspired, donations may be made to a commemorative trust and foundation to be established, and called the George Harrison Williams, Jr./ Benjamin Harrison Foundation as Mr. Williams was a 12th generation in our country of Benjamin Harrison, I. Esq. of Jamestown. The family plans to continue the legacy of public service working through the foundation to further humanitarian causes.