Leonard Buford Williams Jr.

1918 - 2022

Leonard Buford Williams Jr.

Leonard B. Williams Jr., 103, of Narrows, Va., passed away on Friday, February 18, 2022, at his home. Born in the little hamlet of Burton, on August 27, 1918, he was a son of the late Leonard Buford Williams Sr. and Naomi Maude Stafford Williams. He was a lifelong resident of Giles County. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 67 years, Freeda Heslep Williams; five sisters, Flora, Dorothy, Julia Ellen, Mozelle, Estelle, and three brothers, Roland, Paul and Odelle.

Buford volunteered for the U.S. Army Air Corp in 1942 and was discharged in 1946. Buford was employed by the Celanese Corp., in Narrows for 44 years. He was a dedicated member of the First Christian Church in Narrows serving as a Deacon and Elder. He was a cornerstone of his community, he was elected to 2 terms of the Narrows Town Council, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Narrows, a member of the American Legion Post #68 in Narrows, Treasurer of the local Red Cross and President of the Fairview Cemetery Association. He was most proud of his work on the Mill Dam Restoration Project in Narrows. Buford dedicated his life to his family and touched the hearts of many.

He is survived by three daughters, Carolyn Williams of the home, Sharon Mann (Michael) of Williamsburg, and Margaret Williams (Abed Benzina) of Alexandria; one son, Rodney Williams (Sue) of Belvidere, Ill., eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, two great great-grandchildren, one great great-granddaughter on the way; one sister, Mary Stella Williams of Mauldin, S.C., and many nieces, nephews and cousins. The family would like to sincerely thank his caregivers, Judy Sadler, Angela Weatherly, Ashley Meredith and Michael Mullins.

Funeral services will be conducted, Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at 2 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Narrows, with the Rev Jim McDaniel and the Rev Carroll T. Givens officiating. A private interment will follow at the Fairview Cemetery in Narrows. The family will receive friends at the Church two hours prior to the services from 12 until 2 p.m.

The family request that everyone observe COVID-19 precautions, please wear a mask and observe social distancing.

The family is being served by Givens-Riffe Funeral Service in Narrows, Va., (540) 726-2442, and online at riffefuneralservice.com.