Jessie Oscar Williams, 91, of Salem, passed away Monday, January 8, 2018.
He was born on September 24, 1926 in Marion, VA to the late Oscar and Ollie Williams. Jessie was a retired production superintendent from Norfolk Southern Railway with over 40 years of service. He was a WWII veteran of the U.S. Army serving in Southeast Asia and was a member of Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Norfolk Southern Retired Mechanical Department, the Italian-American Heritage Club and was a giver of his time and talents to Habitat for Humanity. Jessie loved traveling, fishing, gardening, and home construction and repairs. Jessie helped build over 100 homes with Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 61 years, Geraldine Williams; and by seven siblings.
He is survived by his sons, Gregg Williams and wife, Betty of Fernandina Beach, FL, and Paul Williams and wife, Ruby of Swansboro, NC; and grandchildren, John of Morehead City, NC, Matt of Roanoke, VA, Charles and wife, Natasha of Greenville, NC, and Jesse of Charlotte, NC.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Elaine Wright and Loretta Lambert for their in-home care, Amedysis Home Health Care for their hospice services, Generation Solutions for the in-home care and Our Lady of the Valley for periodic nursing home needs.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, January 12, 2018 at John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, Salem. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at the funeral home with Rev. Ken Shuping officiating. An interment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park, Salem.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jessie’s honor may be made to Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.