Williams Sr., George Robertson
George Robertson Williams Sr., of Blacksburg, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on March 7, 2016 in Christiansburg, at the age of 96. The family would like to thank the staff at Commonwealth of Virginia (Wheatland) and Good Samaritan Hospice for their special care and love for George.
George is survived, loved and adored by his four children; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren; daughter, Melinda Carper of Dallas, Ga., Pam and Dan Carper of Blacksburg, George and Diane Williams of Winchester, and Amy Roeschke of Blacksburg; grandchildren, Lynn Carper, Jay and Shellie Carper, George Scott Carper, Daniel and Melissa Carper, Whitney and Tom Blaszak, Heather Williams, Ryan Roeschke and Sean Roeschke; great-grandchildren, Stephanie and Alex Pflipsen, Travis Miles, Ashley Carper, Jason Carper, Austin Carper, Adalyn Carper, Sydney Blaszak, Kaylee Blaszak, and Taylor Blaszak. George is survived by his special friend, Velma Fisher.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years and the mother of his children, Polly Williams. Polly and George met while he was attending Texas A&M. They had a wonderful life raising their children, playing bridge, traveling and loving on their grandkids and great grandkids. He was also preceded in death by his wife Trudy Williams.
George was born on December 20, 1919 in Comanche County, Texas to CB and Yetta Sharp Williams. He graduated from Comanche High School in 1938. He enrolled in Texas A&M in the fall of 1938. George joined the Army Air Core in October of 1942. He piloted a B-24 J Liberator and flew 25 combat missions in Italy during World War II. He remained in the service and served in the Army Reserve and retired as a Lt. Colonel.
He graduated from Texas A&M in June of 1947 with a BS in Horticulture. He completed his graduate work at Virginia Tech in 1951 and was awarded the outstanding graduate student. George worked for Virginia Tech for over 30 year as a Professor of Horticulture. Following retirement he worked in Antalya, Turkey for the World Bank doing research projects for the Turkish government.George served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and choir member at Blacksburg Baptist Church.
A funeral is scheduled at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 12, 2016 at Blacksburg Baptist Church, 550 North Main St., in Blacksburg, VA with Todd Millsaps and Don McKinney officiating. The family will receive visitors at 1 p.m. in the sanctuary. A graveside service will follow the funeral.In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make donations to the Blacksburg Baptist Church building fund and the Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.