Lester James Williams Jr.'s Obituary
Lester James Williams, Jr., age 91, of Bridgeville, DE, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at Tidal Health Nanticoke in Seaford, DE. He was born on November 20, 1931, son of the late Lester James Sr. and Josephine (Bushrod) Williams.
Mr. Williams started his professional life in 1949 by joining the United States Marine Corps, where he fought in the Korean War. Once having completed his term of service, Mr. Williams enlisted in the United States Air Force. By the end of his military service to his country, Mr. Williams had distinguished himself, obtaining the rank of Seargeant. After his military service, Mr. Williams and his late wife of fifty-four years, Mrs. Vivian Loretta (Johnson) Williams, moved to Washington, DC. There he went to work for the United States Treasury Department as a Secret Serviceman. He served four sitting United States Presidents. Mr. Williams also worked as an NSA Patrolman, at Dulles International Airport and Washington International Airport police officer. Mr. Williams retired from his professional career in Washington, DC as a U.S. Customs Enforcement Officer assigned to headquarters. He received many awards and letters of commendation over his forty-one years of services in Washington, DC. After relocating to Delaware, he worked for Perdue Farms Incorporated in Georgetown, DE, as the Chief of Security, retiring in 1998. Mr. Williams had a code of fairness for his community, which inspired him to volunteer and dedicate fourteen years of public service to Bridgeville’s Building and Code Enforcement Division.
Lester was a devoted and loving husband, who loved to sit, talk, and share his wisdom with the young people he engaged with throughout his life. He would always have a listening ear and great advice for everyone. Most of all, his quick wit and wicked sense of humor had a clever way of helping. He could help you see the funny side of life, which always made you feel good. It was as if the doctor prescribed “Uncle Lester” to fill your prescription. He was a member of Crossroads Community Church, but more than being a member of a church, Lester knew Jesus!
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Maurice Williams. He is survived by his daughter, Helen Drayton; granddaughter, Rovair Pettie of Seaford; a devoted nephew, Alfred Lee Johnson, Jr., his wife, Wanda and great-nephew Moshe Yohance Carthar Johnson, all of Columbus, GA; a second nephew, Birtram Johnson and his wife Bobbie also of Columbus, GA; two-god-daughters, Jasmine Haynes of Greenwood, DE and Terronda Jackson of Columbia, SC; his devoted caregiver and friend, Cora Bailey of Bridgeville, DE and numerous other nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Viewing will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2023, from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Hardesty Chapel, 202 Laws St., Bridgeville, DE. A graveside service with military honors will be held on Friday, March 10, 2023, at 10:00 AM at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro, DE.
In Lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Williams may be sent to Mt. Enoch Holy Church, 280555 Rockawalkin Ridge Road, Salisbury, MD 21801.
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