Raymond Shockley Williams

Raymond Shockley Williams, age 91, passed away at home in his sleep during the early morning hours on May 19, 2023. Born the youngest of eight children to Robert David and Laura McGhee Williams in Oak Level in Franklin County, Virginia on November 20, 1931. He grew up on the family farm where he worked hard and taught himself to read by reading the funny pages in the newspaper. In 1951 he graduated from the first class at Franklin County High School where he played basketball and baseball and was a member of the first scholastic football team in the county. He served two years in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany as part of the military police. As a child, he took apart and rebuilt numerous gadgets and machinery, which prepared him for a career working for Addressograph-Multigraph as a service technician who started repairing machinery that used embossed metal address plates. Over the years, he adapted to ever changing technology and ended his career repairing sophisticated copiers and scanners. After his retirement, he worked as an independent technician for several years before retiring full time to devote more time to hobbies and volunteer work. In 1957, he married the love of his life, Mary Louise Hudson, and they enjoyed over 65 years of a loving, supportive marriage that brought joy to their lives and to many others. After a few years, they moved to Franklin Heights where they have lived for over 60 years, raising their children and being good neighbors to the community. Raymond was an active member of Franklin Heights church, singing in the choir for over 40 years, serving as a Sunday School teacher, deacon, and trustee. He coached sandlot football and Dixie League and Babe Ruth League baseball teams, including several district winning all-star teams. He was a member of the Rocky Mount Lions club, helping provided eye glasses for those in need and serving in several offices. As a Habitat for Humanity volunteer, his carpentry expertise helped construct several houses. He enjoyed woodworking, crafting a number of furniture pieces, and he was an avid gardener. Known for his sharp wit, he sometimes enjoyed pretending to be cantankerous, but he was a loving and kind husband, father, grandfather, uncle, neighbor, and friend to many, willing to share his many talents, wisdom, and time to help others. Raymond was preceded in death by his parents Laura and Robert Williams; his daughter, Laura Anne Williams; sisters and brothers-in-law, Virginia Starkey (Homer), Girlie Morris (Ed), Vida Gray, Margaret Lovell (Lewis), and Nora Thompson (Sylvester); brothers, Harry and Carroll Williams; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Frances Dooley (Lenwood), Emily Lynch (Cecil), Martha Ann Divers (Ben), Nancy Naff (Bob), and by several nephews and nieces. He is survived by his loving wife Mary Hudson Williams; his sons and daughter-in-law, Raymond David Williams and James Patrick (Pat) Williams (Sherry); his grandson, Zane Patrick Williams and Zane’s mother, Lorrie Meeks Williams; his sister-in-Law, Barbara Williams, and numerous nieces and nephews. His family offers special thanks to the 3rd floor staff at Lewis-Gale and to his Good Samaritan Hospice caregivers for their care and compassion. Funeral services will be conducted at Franklin Heights Church at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 22, 2023 with Rev. J. Larry Holland and Dr. Stan Parris officiating. His family will receive friends on Sunday, May 21 from 4 – 6 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity, Good Samaritan Hospice, or Franklin Heights Church. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.