Earl Williams

Wilbon Earl Williams, 81, of Rocky Point, NC, passed away Tuesday, March 23rd at the New Hanover Medical Center in Wilmington after a brief illness.

Earl was born in Chester, GA and grew up in Griffin, GA.  He attended Griffin High School and joined the US Air Force in 1957.  He served in the 2nd Combat Defense Squadron as an Air Policeman.  Upon an honorable discharge in 1962, he embarked on a long and distinguished career in Finance, while obtaining his Associates Degree in Business.  He held positions advancing from Supervisor, Manager and Operations Vice President with companies such as Firestone Tires, Associates Financial, GreenTree Financial, and other lending institutions.  As an entrepreneur, he had interests in a mobile home refurbishing business and a children’s clothing boutique.  Earl retired at age 70 after a 47-year career. 

Earl was saved at the age of 12 at Second Baptist Church, Griffin, GA.  He rededicated his life at age 68.  At Fellowship Baptist, Wilmington, he served his church as a volunteer for seniors and a Greeter (known fondly as the “Candyman” for passing out sweets and greets).  At age 75, he was a volunteer at Pender County Adult Services where he visited the elderly, transported seniors to doctors, on errands and to restaurants.  He truly enjoyed getting to know them and developed close relationships.   His family and friends could count on his ‘can do’ attitude with any project or favor.  He was simply tireless when it came to helping a friend or a stranger. He was gifted with a technical mind, a huge generous heart and wit that could keep you laughing. He felt his greatest blessing was that all his kids were saved.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents Alfonso “Bo” and Opal (Skipper) Williams, of Cochran, Georgia.   He is survived by his children Dona Stone, Jason (Suzy) Williams, Jamee Meyer, Houston Williams, and Alexa Williams; his grandchildren Dezmond Lemke, Sierra Hiracheta, Michael Hiracheta, and Winter Bernard and three great grandchildren.  Earl was the third born of eight children and is survived by his brother, Raymond Williams and sister, Debra (Ronnie) Teston and preceded in death by Junior Williams, Doris Goen, Sandra Hurst, Jerome Williams, and Ann Moreland.

Services for Earl will be on Thursday, April 1, 2021, with a viewing at 10 am and a Memorial Service at 11 am at the Fellowship Baptist Church, 5709 Murrayville Road, Wilmington, NC 28405 

The Gravesite Service will be April 3, 2021 at 10am at Pleasant Olive Cemetery in Chester, GA with Military Funeral Honors.   

Please share online condolences with the family in the online Guestbook at www.andrewsmortuary.com