Edwin Ray Williams Sr.

Edwin Ray Williams Sr., 87, of Carolina House, formerly of Westside Drive, died Wednesday, June 5, 2013, at Hinkle Hospice House. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 8, 2013, at Forest Hill Memorial Park with the Rev. Dr. Ray N. Howell, III officiating. Military Graveside rites will be performed by Davidson County Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 7, 2013 at Davidson Funeral Home. Mr. Williams was born January 5, 1926, in Davidson County, to Henry Carl Williams and Hattie Long Williams. He was an alumnus of Lexington High School class of 1944 and attended Ashemore Business College. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, also participating in the Normandy Invasion. With his brother Lawrence he owned and operated a sawmill business for 40 years. Following that he worked for Burlington Industries and retired from Stanley Furniture. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and volunteered for Meals on Wheels. Mr. Williams was a life member of VFW Post 3074, serving on various committees including Buddy Poppy chairman for several years. He was also a member of American Legion Post 8. Mr. Williams honored many veterans while serving as part of the firing squad in the military honors group. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Boyce “Mitzi” White Williams, and brothers, Lawrence, Leon and Claude Williams. Surviving are sons, Ray Williams (Tina), Alan Williams (Melody), all of Lexington; grandchildren, Spencer Williams (Kim) of Portland, OR, Rachel Dicksey (Doug) of Savannah, GA, and Eli and Emerson Williams of Lexington; great-grandchildren, Grace and Wyatt Dicksey of Savannah, GA. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 310 South Main Street, Lexington, NC 27292; First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 436, Lexington, NC 27293; or Hospice of Davidson County, 200 Hospice Way, Lexington, NC 27292.