William "JR" D. Cornell, Jr., 64, of South Chesterfield, passed away on Sunday, February 11, 2024. William was preceded in death by his father, William D. Cornell, Sr.; stepfather, Rufus Samuel Waddell; a son, Brent Everett Cornell (Emily Forcke); and a brother, Samuel "Bubba" L. Waddell.
William retired from the City of Petersburg where he worked for the Department of Utilities as Superintendent. He also worked for the City of Richmond WWTP as an operator. He loved to go camping and fishing. He enjoyed building things, and listening to music with family and friends at his bar. William was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Ellen Stephanie Cornell; sons, Travis W. Cornell (Katie Bowen), and Daniel J. Cornell (Alyssa Draper); grandchildren, Madison N. Davis, Carter J. Cornell, and Harleigh Martin; mother, Pearl Evelyn Miller; daughter-in-law, Brittany Cornell; siblings, Luther "Fred" E. Cornell III, Jewel W. Cawthorne, and Bruce "Tony" A. Waddell, Sr.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 24, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home.