Milton Douglas Williams

1923 - 2008

Milton Douglas Williams, 85, of Salem, Va., went to be with his Savior on Friday, October 24, 2008. Doug was born in Williamson, W.Va. on April 21, 1923. He was preceded in death by his parents, Major and Marguarite Williams; brother, Marshall Williams; and sister, Emily Long.
Doug is survived by his wife of 62 years, Virginia Williams; sons, Michael Williams, of Baton Rouge, La., and Steven Williams and his wife, Lynn, of Salem, Va.; daughter, Jennifer Paschall, of Glen Allen, Va.; five grandchildren, Jessica Saxten, of Whitefish, Mont., Seth Williams, of Missoula, Mont., Mandy Williams, of Big Fork, Mont., Kelsey Williams, of Salem, Va., and Charles S. Paschall II, of Charlottesville, Va.; and two greatgrandchildren, Kayla Paige and Ashlyn Brooke Saxten, of Whitefish, Mont.
Doug attended Andrew Lewis High School where he played basketball, football and ran track. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy as a member of Virginia's 1st Lee Volunteers. Following his service during World War II, he attended classes in Electrical Engineering at the University of Virginia. He worked for the Veterans Administration Hospital, in Salem, retiring after 30 years of service.
As a member of Salem Baptist Church, for the past 70 years, he served as Sunday School teacher, RA leader, Boy Scout leader and was a deacon for 41 years. He went on four home mission trips and one foreign mission trip to Africa where he helped build a hospital in Tanzania. Locally, he volunteered his time to help build Jubilee Acres for the Rescue Mission, Ward Haven Baptist Recreational Center and the Alma Hunt Cottage at the Virginia Baptist Children's Home.
Doug's love of sports continued to be a part of his life. He played in a Salem adult basketball league. His interest in football, however, occupied most of his time. As a member of the Virginia High School Athletic Association, he officiated football from 1957 to 1986. He worked on the sideline chain gang crew at Virginia Tech for 44 years. In addition, he was the basketball clock operator at the Salem Civic Center for 17 years. As a charter member of the Salem Sports Foundation, he received the Lifetime Outstanding Member Recognition Award.
In his spare time, he had a love of trains stemming from his early employment with N&W Railroad. He was a member of the Roanoke Valley Train Club and assisted with the train display at the Roanoke Transportation Museum.
He was a loving husband and father and was known for his service to others. In lieu of flowers, he requested donations be made to either of the following, Salem Baptist Church Missions at 103 North Broad Street in Salem, Va. 24153 or the Salem Sports Foundation Scholarship Fund at P.O. Box 642 in Salem, Va. 24153.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 25, 2008, from 6 to 8 p.m. as well as on Sunday, October 26, 2008, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. in the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Monday, October 27, 2008, at 11 a.m. in the Salem Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park, in Salem. The Rev. Everett Kier and the Rev. Bob Lanier will officiate. Online condolences to the family may be made at johnmoakey.com. The Williams family is being served by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, 540-389-5441.