Daniel Smith Williard

Daniel Smith Williard of 700 Oriole Drive, a sixty year resident of Virginia Beach, passed away September 16, 2008 in Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital, with family at his bedside. He was born August 8, 1922 in Kernersville, North Carolina to Daniel Ernest and Minnie Smith Williard.

Mr. Williard was a graduate of Kernersville High School after which he served in the Navy during World War II. He continued on in the military serving in the Virginia Army National Guard with twenty years of faithful service. He retired as First Sergeant of the Fourth Missile Battalion (Nike Hercules) 111th Artillery. He retired after twenty three years from Investors Diversified Services (American Express) as a Financial Advisor. He also served as President of Launch Service, Inc. of which he co-owned from 1963-1978.

Mr. Williard was a life time member of the Kernerville Moravian Church. He was a former member of the Ward’s Corner Lion’s Club. He was an active member of the Cavalier Golf and Yacht Club for many years. He was an avid golfer having made 4 holes in one. He enjoyed his golf, and gin rummy games with lifelong friends. The most proud moments of his life and the thing he cared about the most, was watching his family grow into everything he ever dreamed for them. He was a man of few sentimental words, but to those who were his family and to those he called friend, you knew he was someone you could always count on no matter what the problem or challenge may be. He amazed everyone with his fighting spirit, including his doctors when he became a cancer survivor in 2000 after losing a lung to the disease..

Mr. Williard was preceded in death by his parents and his brother George Donald Williard and wife Mary Lillian. He is survived by his beloved wife, Evelyn Hewitt Williard of 62 years, whom he met when he was stationed here and by his two devoted sons, Daniel Ernest Williard II and wife Mary Lou Williard, William Hewitt Williard and wife Karla N. Williard, three grandsons Daniel Ernest "Trey" Williard III, Wade Scott Williard and William Garrett Williard, all of Virginia Beach. He is also survived by his brother Joseph Wiley Williard and wife Sally, sister Evelyn Williard Stafford and husband Harold Wade Stafford, all of Kernersville, North Carolina. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, grand nephews and a loyal family friend Margaret Griffin, along with his most recent caregiver Terri-Lynn Wiesemann.

Mr. Williard was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and he will be missed and remembered by many. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am Friday, September 19th at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, followed by a reception and a celebration of his life at the Cavalier Golf and Yacht Club.

In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions may be made to the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughter’s Fund, 601 Children’s Lane, Norfolk, Virginia 23501 or the charity of choice.