Roger Williams Sr.

Asheville Roger Fortune Williams, Sr., 72, of Asheville, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at his home. A lifelong resident of Buncombe County, he was a member of the first graduating class of Enka High School in 1955. He was a veteran of the Army National Guard and a member and Deacon of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. He was the co-owner of Roger F. Williams Co. dba Willco. Mr. Williams was a retired Assistant Chief with the West Buncombe Fire Department, a former Lieutenant with the Buncombe County Sheriffs Department Reserves, and a former Lieutenant with the Civil Air Patrol. He was the Past Master of Biltmore Masonic Lodge 446, a 32nd Degree Scottish and York Rite Mason, Shriner, and the Past Supreme Royal Patron of the Order of Amaranth. Mr. Williams was the former President of the Erwin Youth League and a member of the Patriot Guard Riders. He loved his Harley-Davidson, and was in the process of organizing a charity ride for the American Diabetes Research Foundation for July 24. He participated in a multitude of charity drives and rides. Mr. Williams was an avid NASCAR fan, and loved to travel, both throughout the United States as well as multiple countries. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and Papaw. Mr. Williams was the son of the late Joel Alfred and Lena Mae Rogers Williams. He was also preceded in death by a son, Richard Arthur Williams; and a sister, Mary Ann Ingle. Surviving are his wife of 42 years, Marlene Lance Williams; sons: Roger, Jr., Robbie Dale, and Eric; granddaughter, Kendall Monica Williams; sister, Nancy McCurry of Asheville; brothers: Joel Alfred Williams, Jr. of Dalton, GA and Kenneth C. Williams of Andrews; in-laws: Glenda and Jeff Trantham, Trudy and Mike Bowlin, and Ronnie Eugene Lance, all of Asheville; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Saturday at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, with the Rev. Dr. Ronnie Owen officiating. Burial will follow in Piney Mountain United Methodist Church Cemetery, with escorts being provided by the Patriot Guard Riders and the Buncombe County Sheriffs Honor Guard, and with memorial graveside rites provided by the Buncombe County Firefighters Association Honor Guard, as well as Masonic Graveside Rites conducted by Biltmore Masonic Lodge 446. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of West Buncombe Volunteer Fire Dept. and Buncombe County Sheriff's Dept. The family will receive friends from 6:30-9:00 PM Friday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home, and at other times the family will be at the home. The Lodge will open at 9:30 AM Saturday morning. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the North Carolina Diabetes Research Foundation, C/O Roberta Gonczy, PO Box 140, Micaville, NC 28755.