COLERAIN – Paul Gray Williams, age 90, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his daughters and family on April 13, 2016. He was born January 23, 1926 in Bertie County to Berry and Nettie Cobb Williams.

He was married to the love of his life, Elsie Perry, for nearly 64 years. They loved one another and remained constant companions until her passing on January 14, 2010.

Paul was at the rank of 3D Class in the US Navy from September 1944 – June 1946. He was the ship cook and the gunner mate on the USS Swift. Paul started training in Maryland and traveled to Norfolk, VA where he boarded the ship. From there they traveled the Panama Canal to California and on to Pearl Harbor, Guam, and to the Carolina Islands in the South Pacific. They swept the mines so other ships could pass. They were working in Tokyo, Japan when the peace treaty was signed and they returned to Norfolk.

Paul went to barber school in Richmond, VA in 1947. After getting his license they moved back to Wakelon with Elsie’s parents. His first job as a barber was in Columbia, NC before coming back to Colerain to work for Tony Maccauluso. Paul worked as a barber in Harrellsville and Trap before building his own Barber Shop in Wakelon in 1956. He continued to barber in that shop until his health not longer allowed him to in 2015. Many remember their visits to Wakelon for him to cut their hair and then their children and grand children. He also worked as a security guard at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital and Harrington Manufacturing in Lewiston and retired as a Jailor at Bertie-Martin Regional Jail.

He was baptized in 1966 at Mars Hill Baptist Church. He has served as deacon, Sunday School teacher and superintendent at Wakelon Baptist Church. He is currently a member of Wakelon Pentecostal Holiness Church. He is a 20 year cancer survivor and a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 102 in Ahoskie.

Besides his loving wife Elsie and his parents, Paul was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters: Martin L. Williams, Charlie D. Williams, Stevenson W. Williams, Curtis L. Williams, James M. Williams, Margaret Williams, Harriet L. Williams, and Lucy Butler.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Jennifer Gray Williams (Jimmy Belch) of Colerain, and Paula Williams Farmer (Johnnie Ray Farmer) of Millennium; brother, Jesse M. Williams of Chesapeake VA; and sisters, Sarah A. Mizelle of Askewville and Ruby Perry of Roanoke Rapids. Surviving grandchildren are: Denise B. Robinson (Scott D. Robinson) of Corning NY, Darlene B. Powell (W. Grayson Powell Sr.) of Wilmington NC, Christopher J. Farmer (James Hembry) of Wakelon, and Michelle F. Hoggard (Ben E. Hoggard) of Millennium. Paul was blessed with eight great-grandchildren: W. Grayson Powell Jr., Charlie Aiken Powell, Tyler M. Hoggard, Addison P. Hoggard, Caroline Elizabeth Robinson, Lydia Gray Robinson, Elsie Marguax Barnes Powell, and Michael Andreas Farmer.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 15, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Wakelon Pentecostal Holiness Church by Rev. Taylor Latham. Burial will follow in the Perry Family Cemetery with military rights.

The family will receive friends Thursday, April 14, 2016 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home in Windsor and from the home at other times.

Online condolences may be directed to www.walkerfh.net Walker Funeral Home of Windsor is serving the Williams family.