Barkley Williams

Barkley Williams CHESAPEAKE - Barkley Williams, 84, of the 1400 block of Spring Road, died Oct. 25, 2008, in Chesapeake Regional Medical Center. A native of Warren County, North Carolina, Mr. Williams retired after more than 40 years as a self-employed general contractor and also retired from NORSHIPCO after 20 years. He was formerly employee of Norfolk Naval Shipyard and a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Portsmouth, where he was a former trustee and a faithful member of its Usher Board. Mr. Williams was a former member of the Board of Directors of Ebenezer Plaza Inc., former president of Cedar Grove Civic League and a former president of the PTA of Western Branch High School. He had graduated from Rocky Mount Technical Institute and was also a member of the Elizabeth City Alumni Association. Survivors include his devoted spouse of 61 years, Lessie Branch Williams; a daughter, Karen Williams Gooden (Caesar II) of Mitchville, Md.; two sons, Barkley Orlando Williams and Vernon T. Williams (Gina), all of Chesapeake; three special sons, Lloyd Porter, Alfred Lee Powell and Irving Brown; a sister, Marie Williams Davis (Bobby) of High Point, N.C.; three grandchildren, Vernon Orlando Williams, Karin Danielle Williams of Chesapeake and Lezla Alease Gooden of Mitchville, Md.; two cousins, Carolyn Williams Bell and LaMar Williams; special friends, John and Lillie Jones of Chesapeake; dedicated caretaker, Joyce Boyd; other relatives and friends. Special thanks to Dr. Alireza Farpour and two assistants, Darlene and Marsha; and dear neighbors, Donald, Teresa, D.J., Newsome, Doretha Whitfield and Tina Fletcher. A funeral will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. in Ebenezer Baptist Church, Portsmouth, by the Rev. Leroy Hill. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Chesapeake. Fisher Funeral Home, 1520 Effingham St., Portsmouth, is in charge. Viewing will begin Friday at noon. The family will be at the residence. The body will be in the church at 11 a.m.