ARVIN WILLIAMS

WILLIAMS, Colonel Arvin Samuel, retired USAF, 92, of Richmond, (formerly of Front Royal, Va.) passed away April 10, 2013. He was preceded in death by his wife, Emma Mauck Williams; parents, Irvin P. and Cleo B. Williams; four brothers and a sister. He is survived by his daughter, Lucy W. Hooper and her husband, Gary; grandson, John Randolph; and a sister, Ruth W. Claus. Arvin was born and raised in the southwestern Virginia coal country, in Wise County. He graduated in 1942 from Milligan College, in Tennessee, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry and Mathematics. While at Milligan, Arvin played fullback and was co-captain of the football team. Upon graduation, he began teaching Biology and Chemistry and coached varsity football and basketball at Norton High School. In August of 1942, he had enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps Reserve and was called to active duty in March 1943. Upon receiving his Pilot's Wings in 1944, he piloted B-17 and B-29 bombers during World War II; having served throughout the U.S. and Europe. He eventually achieved the rank of Colonel in the USAF Reserves, while serving as liaison officer for the United States Air Force Academy for Virginia and West Virginia. While serving as liaison officer, he participated in two active tours at the Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. He obtained his Master of Arts Degree in Education from George Washington University in 1967, having also studied at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland. Arvin returned to education in 1947, where he began teaching mathematics at Randolph-Macon Academy, in Front Royal, Va., where he also coached varsity football and swimming. In 1955, he was named Athletic Director and added varsity wrestling to his coach resume. Working his way through the administrative ranks at R-MA, Arvin was named president of the school in 1969, the position which he held until 1978. Upon leaving R-MA, he eventually decided he was not quite ready for retirement and went to work with AGT Communications Group, working with computer graphics for the Shenandoah Press. At age 79, Arvin finally decided it was time to start taking it a bit easier. Having been widowed for some time, he relocated to Richmond, Va. in 1980, to be closer to his family. The family will receive friends Sunday, April 14, 2013 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Bliley's-Central, 3801 Augusta Ave., Richmond, Va. 23230. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at 11 a.m. in Boggs Chapel at Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal, Va. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Emma and Arvin Williams Scholarship Fund at Randolph-Macon Academy, 200 Academy Drive, Front Royal, Va. 22630.

This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.