Honorable Bruce Owen Williams

Honorable Bruce Owen Williams, 76, of Rock View, passed away suddenly on Monday, April 25, 2011 while visiting his son and family in Yulee, Florida. He was born in Spring Hill on June 19, 1934, to the late Frank and Ida Hinton Williams. He was preceded in death by his precious daughter, Kerrie Dee Williams, mother and father, and maternal and paternal grandparents. Also, he was preceded in death by his father and mother-in-law, Bouie and Zola Mullens Church, both of their parents and a brother-in-law, Gary Lee Church. Bruce was a member of the Rockcastle Baptist Church and took an active part in country and community. He graduated from South Charleston High School at the age of 16, where he was an outstanding athlete. He was named captain of the first West Virginia North-South All-Star Baseball game. He then served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. After his service for his country, he attended and graduated from Concord College, where he played basketball. Upon graduation in 1959, he later earned his Master’s degree from Marshall University. Bruce is married to the former Shirley Church and they are the parents, of two sons, Gary Bruce of Lewisburg and Bouie Owen and his wife, Jessica, of Yulee, Fla., and three grandchildren, Jackson Ellery of Lewisburg and Zoey Marie and Riley Owen, both of Yulee. He is also survived by two sisters, Mary Helen Little of Delaware and Martha Jean Frizzell of South Charleston; brother and sister-in-law, Tennis and Melody Cook of Rock View; nieces, Kelli Jones, Lori Wiener and Stacey Lusk; nephews, Tim Alexander, Chuck Cobb and Josh Cook; and many other great nieces and nephews. Bruce spent most of his life in education, having served as principal of Glen Rogers High School and Pineville High School. He ended his education career as Title Chapter I Director at the central office in Wyoming County. During the eighties Bruce served in the WV Legislature, first as a member of the House of Delegates and then the next four years as a State Senator. During his tenure in the Legislature, he served on the Judiciary Committee, the Government Organization Committee, Health and Welfare Committee, Industry and Labor, and the Committee in Banking and Insurance. He also served as the first Juvenile Probation Officer in Wyoming County. Bruce worked at Grace Hospital as assistant business manager. He also worked as a bookkeeper for Bouie Church Lumber Company. In his earlier years in Pineville, he served as president of the Wyoming County Young Democrats. He also helped to establish the Little League program while serving in the Pineville Rotary Club and was a member of the Order of Moose Lodge and the American Legion. He recently received his 50-year pin and certificate for his membership and dedication to the Masons. Bruce had a passion for playing golf. He played many rounds with “The Beckley Bunch� at Twin Falls, and also with his sons. Two of his proudest moments were attending the 2000 Master’s with his son Bo and playing Pebble Beach Golf Links in 2006 with his son Gary. Bruce also enjoyed fishing on the New River. His biggest joy in life, however, was his wife of nearly 50 years, his children and his grandchildren. He was so proud of his family and enjoyed every second with all of them. Anyone who knew him understood his love and affection for his family. Bruce and Shirley were anticipating their up-coming 50th Anniversary on August 5. They were so excited to be able to share this with their many relatives and friends. Their children have been planning the reception for two years.