Neal Lumpkin Williams Sr.

After seventy eight years of touching the lives of those who knew him, Neal Lumpkin Williams died peacefully on Saturday February 14th 2015. Neal was a loving husband, father, friend, true gentleman and admired business leader. He was born April 19, 1936 in Atlanta Georgia to Rubee Lumpkin Williams and Neal Augustus Williams. He graduated from Darlington School where he was elected president of his junior and senior classes. Neal played football and baseball and was selected to the all mid south all star team as a first basemen his senior year. He attended the University of Georgia where he was a member of the Chi Phi fraternity. He served two years in the United States Army and then returned to his home in Atlanta. Following his return, Neal married Virginia Ridley Sandidge of Owensboro, Kentucky in 1959. Virginia was his partner and best friend for 56 years. Neal joined N.A.Williams Company which his father started in 1934 and led the company to become one of the largest and most respected automotive representative agencies in the country. In 2009 Neal was honored with the Martin Fromm Lifetime Achievement Award by the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association. In 2010 NA Williams was recognized by Georgia Trend Magazine and Cox Enterprises as mid size Family Business of the year. In 2012 Neal was recognized by Northwood University as one of its outstanding business leaders of the year. He served as a deacon at Trinity Presbyterian Church and as a trustee at Darlington and Trinity School. He was honored as a Buckhead Boy of the year in 2001. In 1948 Neal's parents Rubee and Red bought a cabin on Lake Rabun. As a teen Neal led tours in the Rabun boathouse #7 Christ Craft for 10 cents a ride. He also worked with friends at the Rabun Café. Over the next five decades Neal shared his joy of the lake with family and countless friends. Neal is survived by his wife Virginia, his children, Neal Jr. (Sarah) Mary Fleming, Ridley (Beth) and Chris (Kendrick). He was a doting grandfather to his twelve grandchildren and one great grandchild; Ryan, Pete, Christopher R, Britton, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Christopher W, Jean, Bradley, Ella Anne, Ridley, Jackson and Eliza. A memorial service honoring Neal Williams will be held on Thursday, February 19th at 11 o'clock at Trinity Presbyterian Church (3003 Howell Mill Road, NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30327) immediately followed by a reception at Williams Hall inside the church. In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to the Trinity Presbyterian Church Trust Fund. The family would like to convey its heartfelt gratitude to the nursing staff and caregivers at Piedmont hospital.