Brian Steven Lambert

Brian collapsed while visiting the Williamsburg Regional Library. Despite the tireless efforts of bystanders, first responders, and the Emergency Department staff at Riverside Doctors' Hospital, his earthly journey came to an end.

Our family extends our deepest gratitude to every person who gave their all in an effort to save his life. We are especially thankful to Sandy Towers, who, until that day, was a stranger to our family. She immediately stepped in to care for Brian's mother, Ellen Lambert (Twardus), offering comfort, compassion, and steadfast support during an unimaginably difficult moment. Her kindness will never be forgotten.

Brian was born to Clifford and Ellen Lambert on November 19, 1959. In what would prove to be a very apt typo, his birth certificate actually reads “Brain” as his first name. A precocious and intelligent child, every report card has a comment on Brian’s chatty nature and his proclivity to prioritize friendship and connection over schoolwork. He is the oldest of three children, and even into adulthood, loved his brother Bruce, and his sister Kim, dearly. He summered at Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, and the beach remained his favorite place to visit throughout his life. After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Gettysburg College, he returned to New Jersey to open “The Book Bin”. From the curated collection of secondhand books stacked precariously on every open surface, to the balloon business he ran out of the back (“Balloons by Bryan”), he created a space to do what he loved: read and talk about books (and also decorate fabulously with balloons for parties). The Book Bin is also where he met Trasi Enright (now Davis), with whom he shared several years of marriage. Despite their subsequent divorce, Brian and Trasi remained collaborative coparents of what they both describe as the best thing that ever came from their relationship: their daughter Hannah.

Brian’s passion in life was books. From his own bookstore “The Book Bin” to his own personal collection of books that number in the thousands, he was a voracious reader who had a unique ability to find books no one else has ever heard of and recommend them - and they were rarely anything other than fantastic reads. Fortunately, he was able to use his love for books and his knack for knowing what people want to buy as his career. For over 25 years, Brian worked for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in their retail sales division. It was truly a “unicorn sighting” to see him in historic costume, as he preferred his Brooks Brothers shirts, cashmere sweater vests, and diverse and extensive tie collection to colonial attire. In retirement, Brian once again found a job that felt “more like a treasure hunt than work” in his role at New2You and 3 Doors Down, sister thrift stores that specialize in high quality home goods. He loved getting to rummage through donations and find treasures that in turn could be resold and the money used for good in the community.

When Brian moved to Williamsburg in 1998, he and Hannah went to Wellspring United Methodist Church for Easter Sunday services. Neither of them knew that morning that they were meeting their family in Christ that would be integral to the rest of their lives. Brian was a staple in the choir, rarely (if ever) missing a Tuesday night practice or Sunday Morning 8:45 service. Wellspring brought him one of his best friends, the Rev. Tim Tate, who he has talked to on the phone every single Saturday for almost 20 years. He was able to share his love of balloons by decorating for the annual community Thanksgiving dinner every November with beautiful balloon bouquets and the most unique themed balloons he somehow would find every year without fail. His role as “Rabbi” in Jerusalem Marketplace was a much-beloved highlight as well, with his (custom made) rabbi outfit including prayer shawl, something classically associated with Brian. Wellspring was truly Brian’s family and in the many roles he served in the church over the years, he always tried to truly live the mission of Wellspring: To Care as Jesus Cares.

Brian’s daughter, Hannah, is what he would describe as his proudest achievement. There is no one who cheered louder, believed deeper, or fought harder for Hannah than Brian. It was just the two of them, and they travelled all over the East Coast, sharing a love of the beach, art, afternoon tea, a good bookstore, and fine dining. They talked almost every day, whether a Facebook video Brian thought Hannah would like or a text or call. While Brian was absolutely a Girl Dad in every sense of the word, the love and pride he had in his grandsons was bar none. Jackson, Owen, and Brooks were so loved and cherished by “Grandpa Brian” and anyone who he ran into that he had not seen in a while was immediately shown pictures of “Hannah’s beautiful family - can you believe she had 3 boys?!”.

Brian is survived by his daughter, Hannah Bates (married to Alex Bates) and their three children, Jackson, Owen and Brooks; as well as his mother, Ellen Lambert (Twardus), brother, Bruce Lambert, and sister, Kim Lambert (married to Nader Sadian); as well as his nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, Clifford Lambert, as well as his maternal grandmother, Christine Voynick (Twardus).

Brian's greatest legacy is not found in the years he lived, but in the love he gave, the family he cherished, the friends he faithfully stood beside, the countless lives he quietly made better, and his daughter, Hannah. To quote Hannah’s most recent birthday card, “You are my greatest accomplishment and I am truly your biggest fan”. Though our hearts are broken, we rejoice in the promise that this goodbye is only for a time, and we look forward to the day we are reunited in Christ.

Please join us for a Celebration of Life on Saturday July 18th, 2026 at Wellspring United Methodist Church (4871 Longhill Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23188). In honor of Brian’s love of a good tie or bowtie, please wear your favorite neck accessory.