John Edward Williams

Retired U.S. Army Sargent 1st Class John Edward Williams, a proud veteran of the United States Army, passed away peacefully on Friday morning April 25th, 2025, at 12:50 AM at Tyler's Retreat Chester, VA. The son of the late Arthur and Susie Hawkes Williams, John was born July 6,1930 in Lawrenceville, VA. At an early age, John was baptized at Shiloh Baptist Church, Blackstone, VA.
Upon graduation from Luther H. Foster High School in 1951 he joined the United States Army. His twenty-year army career consisted of several tours of duty including Aberdeen MD, Anchorage AK, White Sands NM, Seoul Korea, Frankfurt Germany, Paris France, Vietnam, and Fort Campbell KY.
Upon retiring from the army, John worked at the United States Postal Service briefly. He then accepted a job at Defense General Supply Center in Richmond, VA from which he retired in 1999. After retiring from active duty and moving to Richmond, VA, he attended First Baptist Church South Richmond until his health declined. John was also an active member of the VFW, the Military Retiree's Club and the Luther H. Foster Alumni Association. John enjoyed having breakfast at Shoney's with Ahwasta Thompson, his loving caregiver, his morning mall walks or going to Sheltering Arms for fitness, sitting on the porch each afternoon watching the birds and socializing with neighbors. He also enjoyed camping and fishing at Indian Cove Campground.
He married his high school sweetheart Lillie M. Wynn on September 8, 1956. He was a devoted husband and on June 11,1967 they welcomed their son John Kelvan Williams.
John was predeceased in death by his loving wife Lillie M. Wynn Williams, his parents Arthur and Susie Williams, father-in-law and mother-in-law Deacon Robert T. Wynn and Deaconess Lillie Wynn, sister-in-law Bertha Wynn, brothers-in-law Robert Wynn, Retired Sgt Tyrone Wynn, James S. Dyson, Sr., and nephew Willie T. Wynn Jr.
John leaves to cherish his memory: his devoted son John Kelvan Williams and Stephanie Dauley (Richmond, VA), sister Marion Lucille Dyson (Blackstone, VA), brother Clarence E. Williams (Arlene) (Blackstone, VA), brother-in-law Willie T. Wynn, Sr. (Washington, DC), sister-in-law Dorothy Wynn-Dailey (Indianapolis, IN), nieces Jacqueline W. Ingram (Henry), Vera Williams, Geralene Custis (Benjamin), Jennifer Sloan (Douglas), nephew James S. Dyson, Jr., great nieces Mari Hoover (Maurice), Cassandra Custis, Stephanie Custis, Ariel Adams and Nola Dyson, great nephews Hendre' LaTrell Ford, SSgt David Custis, Cody Prifogle, Carson Prifogle and Camden Prifogle. Cousins Charles Branch, Lorraine Randolph and Mary W. Holloway. Several great-great nieces and nephews. Devoted caregiver Ahwasta Thompson. A host of other family, friends and neighbors.
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