Williams, Fred Lee
Fred Lee Williams, 79, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, passed away Saturday, November 24, 2007 at Pulaski Community Hospital.
He was born May 16, 1928 in Christiansburg, Va., and was the son of the late Joseph William Williams and Mattie Virginia Stump. Fred graduated from Christiansburg High School in 1945 and Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1957 with a BS degree in Business Administration, Accounting Option.
From 1950 to 1952 Fred served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War in Headquarters Company Fourth Infantry Division, later transferring to the 112th Infantry Regiment, Company K., spending most of his time in Germany.
After graduating from VPI, Fred and Mary Frances moved to Richmond, Va. where he worked for an accounting firm for several years, and then moved to Pulaski, Va. in 1962 where he worked for James D. Miller, CPA. Sometime later, he became a partner and later owner of Pharmacy Associates, Inc., a business that owned several drugstores in the area, including Pulaski Drugs, Dublin Pharmacy and Whitehead’s Pharmacy in Radford, Va. He and Mary Frances retired in December 1996.
In the 1970s and 80s, needing a hobby he discovered bluegrass and old-time music and did many field recordings at various music conventions and also recording for ten years at the Galax Fiddler’s Convention, making many new friends along the way. He received producer’s credit on several of the album releases. He later contributed his extensive collection of albums, cassettes, and recording equipment to the Blue Ridge Institute at Ferrum, Va.
He was a former member of the local Lions Club and Elks Club as well as the treasurer of New River Valley Enterprises, Inc. He was also a former member of the First United Methodist Church in Pulaski, later transferring to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Christiansburg. Fred was generous with his time and spirit and was always happy to lend an ear to anyone who needed his help or advise.
Surviving are his wife, Mary Frances Conner Williams of Pulaski; a daughter, Mary Leigh Williams of Dublin; a son, Mark Steven Williams and his wife Martha Frye Williams, of Mt. Airy, N.C., their daughter and Fred’s pride and joy, Michelle Leigh Williams now attending Liberty University; a brother, Robert Eugene Williams of Christiansburg; a sister, Margaret Williams Brown and her husband Dennis of Mechanicsville, Va.; a brother-in-law, Noel Boone Conner of Copper Hill, Va.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dale and Carol Conner Whittaker of White Gate Community in Giles County; dear cousins, Jim Williams of Christiansburg, Charles Turner of Vinton, Neal Turner of Christiansburg, Dan Walters of Independence, Va., Nancy Fornes of Valdosta, Ga., and Wayne Turner of San Antonio, Texas; many other cousins; nieces; and nephews also survive including a special friend, Samuel H. Nixon of Christiansburg.
A memorial graveside service will be held Tuesday November 27, 2007 at 3 p.m. in Sunset Cemetery in Christiansburg with the Rev. Neal Turner and the Rev. David Goodpasture officiating. Fred requested that his military stone be placed beside his grandfather Leonard H. Stump. At a later date the family will inter his cremains in Wilson’s Cemetery at Wilson Cemetery Road in Floyd County.
The family will receive friends Monday November 26, 2007 from 4 until 6 p.m. at Thomas M. Seagle & Sons, Pulaski. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to the Blue Ridge Institute, P.O. Box 1000 Ferrum, Va., 24088. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.seaglefuneralhome.com Arrangements by Thomas M. Seagle & Sons, Pulaski.