Thurman ‘T.W.’ Wray Williams

Published 9:00 am Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Thurman “T.W.” Wray Williams, of Bluefield, passed away peacefully July 3, at WVU/Princeton Community Hospital, Princeton, West Virginia with family present.

Mr. Williams was born June 2, 1934, in Victoria, at home. He was born to parents William Clyde Williams Sr. and Lellie May Thurman Williams. He attended Lunenburg County Schools in Victoria and Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union. After his education, Thurman enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and successfully completed boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina then on to Camp LeJeune, North Carolina. From there he was stationed in Puerto Rico for the duration of his enlistment from which he was honorably discharged.

Mr. Williams began his 38 year railway career in Victoria with The Virginian Railway which later became Norfolk and Western Railway and is currently known as Norfolk Southern Railway. His employment began in the Signal Maintenance Dept. repairing circuits and switches in/on the railroad tracks. The last decade of his employment was spent in management as the Signal Maintenance Supervisor for the Pocahontas Division of Norfolk Southern Railway.

Mr. Williams was preceded in death by his parents, William Clyde Williams Sr. and Lellie May Thurman Williams; brothers, William (Buster) Clyde Williams Jr. of Victoria and John Calvin Williams of Roanoke; sisters, Geneva Williams Roach of Victoria, Arline Williams McClellan of Maryland and Francis Williams Corr of Richmond; his wife of 50 years, Edna Louisa Sutphin Williams of Bluefield; daughter, Carol Williams Smith, Bluefield and son-in-law, Todd E. Smith of Bluefield.

Left to cherish his memory are daughters, Cynthia Williams Owens and husband Mark of Bluefield and Linda Williams Felts and husband Derrick of Princeton, West Virginia; one grandchild, Simon Smith also of Princeton, West Virginia and special caregiver/helper, Amanda Wright of Bluefield, West Virginia.

Mr. Williams was an avid sportsman and excelled at most every sport in which he participated. He was very skilled and won first place in many tournaments such as league bowling, archery and golf. As a teenager he won diving and swimming competitions. He enjoyed and was a member of an amateur ham radio group. His vegetable and flower gardening were exemplary. Bow hunting and fishing were among his many enjoyments.

He loved his wife Edna, of 50 years, and his three “girls” Linda, Cynthia and Carol…and not to mention his only grandchild, Simon Smith. His favorite activities included family time and he never met a food that he didn’t like.

Dudley Memorial Mortuary in Bluefield is in charge of services to the family. Visitation was held Wednesday, July 10, from 12-2 p.m. and followed immediately with a service at 2 p.m. Interment followed the service at Grandview Memory Gardens in the mausoleum. Pastor Brent Brown, Trinity United Methodist Church in Bluefield, West Virginia conducted the Celebration of Life service.

While floral expressions of sympathy are greatly appreciated, donations to the Bluefield Union Mission would also be greatly appreciated