Samuel Haines Williams Jr.

Samuel Haines Williams, Jr. Samuel Haines Williams, Jr., 91, of 501 VES Road, Lynchburg, VA died on April 5, 2012 at Lynchburg General Hospital. He was born in Lynchburg on February 25, 1921 and was the son of the late Samuel Haines Williams and Elizabeth Bryan Williams. Sam was educated in the Lynchburg public schools and graduated from EC Glass High School in 1938. In 1942 he graduated, Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Virginia with a BA in Classical Languages and later from Rutgers University's Trust Banking School. After college he enlisted in the US Navy and proudly served during World War II aboard the USS New Mexico and the USS Canberra in the Pacific, where he obtained the rank of Lieutenant. Sam began his banking career with Wells Fargo I San Francisco, before returning to Lynchburg in 1947 to spend the next 40 years serving as a Trust Officer and Vice President with The First National Bank of Lynchburg (currently SunTrust). His sound knowledge of prudent investing, trust law, and estate planning, along with his scrupulous honesty, guided many of his fellow citizens through their careers and retirements. Mr. Williams worked with numerous Lynchburg civic organizations, serving on a management board and as Treasurer in several instances for: Lynchburg Jr. Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Alliance for Families, YMCA, Interfaith Outreach, Lynchburg Historical Foundation, EC Glass Educational Foundation, Westminster-Canterbury, and Meals-On-Wheels as a driver. A lifelong member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church he served as Treasurer for 42 years and was a member of the choir for 69 years. He also served several times on the vestry. Sam was an avid gardener and stamp collector, but he will be most remembered for his sense of duty to God and country and his commitment to the betterment of this community through his charity, moral example, and most recently a donation to the city museum of a treasured Lynchburg artifact. He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Helen Howell Williams as well as his sister, Frances Williams Dabney and his brother James Jehu Williams. He is survived by a nephew, James J. Williams, Jr. of Redondo Beach, California, a niece, Anne Williams Arceneaux and her husband Eugene of Boutte, Louisiana, a nephew, John Collins Dabney, IV of Port Alberni, British Columbia and a niece, Elizabeth Dabney Hutter and her husband Bill of Lynchburg. He also has many great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins. A celebration of Sam's life will be conducted at 4:00 PM on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Todd Vie officiating. Immediately following the service, there will be a reception in the Church undercroft. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 605 Clay Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504, or to a charity of your choice. Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to www.tharpfuneralhome. com