Bruce Williams

Published 12:00 am Thursday, May 28, 2009

Bruce Jester Williams, 54, 4th generation peanut farmer, dairy farmer and real estate developer, died May 25, 2009, in his home in Virginia Beach, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born in Nansemond County, Va., a graduate of Suffolk High School, he held two associate degrees from Tidewater Community College. He was the son of Antoinette Poulson Williams and the late Howard Nathaniel Williams. He was preceded in death by his brother, Craig Nathaniel Williams and nephew, Timothy Craig Edwards.
Bruce was an active participant in many organizations, including Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow. He was president of the South East Young Farmers and President of the Kings Fork Ruritan Club. As founder and owner of Hampton Roads Properties, he was involved in many real estate associations. He was president of the Suffolk-Franklin Board of Realtors, president of Suffolk-Franklin, Portsmouth-Chesapeake Board of Realtors and was a member of the National Realtors Land Institute, and the Suffolk Committee for RPAC. As a developer his most recent development is Chippokes Estates in Surry County. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, The Scottish Rites, Suffolk Shrine Club and a member of Regional Shrine Club. He was a long time member of the Town Point Club. Bruce was very active in the boating community both locally and in Florida. He and his wife Tammy enjoyed many boating travels on their boat, the “Tammy 1” from the Chesapeake Bay, the complete East Coast, Florida’s West Coast, Florida Keys and to the Bahamas including Abacos. Many of Bruce’s last days were spent at his home in Stuart, Fla., watching the Manatees swimming near his porch.
Left to cherish his memory include his wife, Tammy Williams, of Virginia Beach; mother, Antoinette Poulson Williams, of Suffolk; sister, Joan W. Edwards and husband, Prince, of Norfolk; brother, Ronald H. Williams and wife, Karen, of Suffolk; niece, Amy E. Myers and Patrick, of Norfolk, Lisa Y. Edwards, of Norfolk; nephews, Ronald H. Williams Jr. and Beth, of Norfolk, David J. Williams, of Brazil; great-nieces and nephews; mother and father-in-law, Madeline and Allen Lockwood; brother-in-law, Robert Baker; sister-in-law, Tracy L. Pars and husband Karl.
A celebration of Bruce’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday May 29, 2009 at Virginia Beach United Methodist Church, 212 Nineteenth St., Virginia Beach. The celebration will be led by the Revs. Robert J. Parks and Ted E. David. R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home & Crematory, 509 W. Washington St., Suffolk, VA 23434, is serving the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Memorial Committee at Main Street United Methodist Church, 202 N. Main St., Suffolk, VA 23434, the Virginia Beach Fire and Rescue, 17th Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 or a wonderful way to honor Bruce’s memory and fight pancreatic cancer is to donate to Johns Hopkins University in memory of Bruce J. Williams. Mail donations to: Ralph H. Hruban, M.D., Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 401 North Broadway, Weinberg 2242, Baltimore, MD 21231-2410. Condolences may be registered at www.rwbakerfh.com.
A special thank you to Dr. Thomas Alberico of Virginia Oncology Associates and all of the close friends and family who stood by Tammy’s side during this difficult time.
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord shall give me at the day.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8.

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