Gerald Jerome Williams

Gerald Jerome Williams, 76, went to be with the Lord, July 17, 2009. He was a member of Elkmont Baptist Church and a veteran of the United States Army. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ila Jean Saffle Williams; one stepson, Jeffery Manery; mother, Vesta Williams Burton; stepfather, Horace Burton and brother, Carlos Burton. Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Stephen and Sarbria Williams, Michael and Catherine Williams all of Morgantown, NC and David R. and Connie S. Williams of Cleveland; daughter and son-in-law, Ehlanda and Tom Richie of Rio Rancho, NM; two step daughters: Gwen Gravey of Dalton, GA and Sharon Helton of Red Bank; twenty-five grandchildren; twenty-four great grandchildren; three sisters: Dean Thompson of Athens, Brenda Barn of Riceville and Bobbie White of Athens. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Monday, July 20, 2009 at Elkmont Baptist Church with the Reverend Johnny Hood and the Reverend Lee Roy Howard officiating. Interment will follow in Stanfield Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors. Bob Belk, Matt Dillard, Clifford Dillard, Mark Hood, Brian Hood and Wendell Maupin will serve as pallbearers. Alvin Howard, Jessie Davis, Chance Foster, T.J. Wooten and Jeff Stanfield will serve as honorary pallbearers. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service. His family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Sunday, July 19, 2009 at Ralph Buckner Funeral Home.