Jimmie Williford

Jimmie R. Williford PORTSMOUTH - Jimmie Richard Williford, 60, went to be with God Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, after a 7-year battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family and friends and willingly passed on to eternal rest. He was born in Ahoskie, N.C., and was the son of the late Oba Richard Williford and Violet Harrell Williford. Jimmie is survived by his wife, Marilyn A. Williford; two sons, Paul R. Williford and wife Talley of Smithfield, Va., and John R. Williford and wife Sara of Franklin, Va.; a stepdaughter, Meredith Detweiler and husband George of Portsmouth; and three grandchildren, William and Dylan Detweiler and Caleigh Williford. Jimmie was a 1971 graduate of East Carolina University and received a master's degree in health and physical education from ECU in 1972. He moved from Ahoskie in 1972 and became a varsity and junior varsity football coach at Manor High School. He met his wife Joan Taylor who was a library clerk at Manor. They married and Joan gave him two sons, Paul and John. Joan passed away in 1994. Jimmie then became father and mother to his sons and raised them to be outstanding young men, husbands and fathers. On April 2, 2005, Jimmie married Marilyn and immediately became a spectacular grandfather to his stepdaughter's son. He served Portsmouth Public Schools for 36 years as a coach, teacher, assistant principal, and supervisor of health, physical education, and athletics for all schools in Portsmouth. Jimmie's greatest pride came with the opening of Woodrow Wilson High School's new football stadium and athletic complex. He said that he had waited 37 years to see it built and he was instrumental in the planning and construction project of this new athletic facility. Jimmie leaves behind a host of close friends and colleagues, but he was especially close to his "group" at Portsmouth's high schools: William Strickland, ECU graduate, longtime friend, and retired athletic director and coach at Churchland High School, David Moss, Orende Andrews and Jackie Kennedy, athletic directors at Churchland, Norcom and Wilson High schools and all of the other athletic directors and principals of the Eastern District and Eastern Region. Jimmie was happiest at a good football, basketball or baseball game. He assisted at the P.I.T. and many district and regional athletic events. He was especially happy when sharing family time with his three grandchildren. He will be remembered as a gentle man, a loving father and a devoted husband. Jimmie, we love you! A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, in Aldersgate United Methodist Church by the Rev. David Drinkard and the Rev. Robert Cofield. The family will receive friends at Snellings Funeral Home, Churchland Chapel, Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Towne Bank, 5716 High St., Portsmouth, VA 23703 for the Jimmie R. Williford Athletic Scholarship Fund. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.snellingsfuneralhome.com.