JOSEPH CARLYLE WILLIAMS
Aug. 11, 1922 - Aug. 16, 2009
Joseph Carlyle Williams, 87, of Clinton and Hampstead, died Sunday at home attended by his family and hospice.
He was born on Aug. 11, 1922, in Goldsboro, one of eight children of Oscar and Bertha Williams. At an early age he took up photography and by 18 he was a photography instructor at Durham Technical College.
He married Celeste M. Perry of Raleigh in 1942. When drafted, he continued in his same job at Seymour Johnson Field, skipped basic training, was sent to Nevada and rose to the rank of Staff Sgt. in the Army Air Corps. In 1946, he established Joe Williams Studio in Clinton where he worked with his wife until their retirement in 1985. During his 40 years of photography he was privileged to attend many of Sampson County's finest weddings and other happy events.
Joe was a lifelong Catholic and member of Immaculate Conception Church, the Rotary Club and the Jaycees of Clinton. He was scoutmaster of Clinton Troop 39 for 17 years and was honored with the silver beaver award for outstanding service to scouting in 1968.
In retirement at Hampstead he was an active member of St. Mark's and St. Judes. He enjoyed fishing, camping, gardening, travel, music art, investments and reading. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years in 1998.
He is survived by children, Teresa W. Ralston of Bowie, Md., Joesph Carlyle Williams Jr., of Clinton, Patrick J. Williams of Wilson, Richard P. Williams of Newton Grove, Philip E. Williams of Roseboro and Marie W. Watson of Raleigh.
He leaves thirteen grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; and is survived by three brothers, Bill of Wilmington, Edward of Goldsboro and Billy Hines of Jacksonville.
Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Crumpler-Honeycutt Funeral Home, Clinton. A Mass of Resurrection will be said at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Jude's Catholic Church, Hampstead.
He will be laid to rest next ot his wife, Celeste, at 4 p.m. that day in a graveside service at Newton Grove, in the cemetery of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.
Condolences can be made to the family online at www.crumplerhoneycutt.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on August 18, 2009 1:47 PM