Obituaries

John Ashby Williams, Sr., 78, of Gladys passed away Tuesday, October 10, 2017 after a long battle with heart and kidney disease. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ferna Piotrowski Williams. Johnny was born in Campbell County, December 12, 1938, son of the late Lawrence Hudnall Williams, Sr. and Mildred Sowell Williams. He loved the Lord and was a faithful member of Ebenezer Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, Sunday School Director, Sunday School Teacher, RA Director, and he coordinated fundraising for many building projects at the church. He was a 1957 graduate of William Campbell High School where he played baseball and basketball. He was a Charter Member of the Brookneal Dixie Youth Baseball Association, Dixie Youth Baseball Coach, member of the Lions Club, and Brookneal Chamber of Commerce. He loved golfing where he once played with professionals and celebrities, bowling, table tennis, antiquing, drawing, writing poetry, and  going to WCHS football, basketball, baseball, softball, and volleyball games. Over the years, he took great pride in watching his children and grandchildren participate in the activities they loved – baseball, volleyball, softball, soccer, tennis, and marching band, Most importantly, he loved to spend time with his family. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Jay Williams and wife Joyce of Brookneal; and daughters Donna W. Nash and husband Gray of Appomattox and Gina W. Scott of Evington; Nine grandchildren, Brianna W. Dickson and husband Jeff, Scott F. Williams, Jason F. Williams, Jonnah L. Williams,  Jonathan S. Nash, Monica G. Nash, Melody R. Nash, Jessica S. Bobbitt and husband P. A., and Sarah R. Scott; Two great-grandchildren, Audrey A. Dickson and Henry R. Dickson; two brothers, Lloyd T. Williams, L. H. Williams, Jr. and wife Barbara, three sisters, Norma Jean Holt and husband Elton, Dale W. Britton, and Cynthia W. Wyman and husband Warren. Johnny joined his great-grandson Landry Allen Dickson in glory. A funeral service will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday, October 15, 2017 at Ebenezer Baptist Church by the Rev. Johnny Roberts and the Rev. Jeffrey Dickson with interment to follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Brookneal Dixie Youth Baseball Association, P. O. Box 175, Brookneal, VA 24528.