William Joseph Williams Jr., 90, a resident of 1850 Newlands Road, Fairfield, died Sunday, May 27, 2012, at his home after a long illness.

Born in Hyde County, Nov. 15, 1921, he was the son of the late William Joseph and Carrie Jones Williams. He was married to Merdie Ballance Williams who preceded him in death in 1979. He served in the U. S. Army during World War II, was a lifelong farmer and a member of the former Fairfield Baptist Church. He was an avid basketball fan, enjoyed playing his harmonica, dancing and singing.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Fairfield Christian Church. Ray Everton, pastor, and Leon Williams will officiate. Burial will follow in Fairfield Cemetery.

Surviving are a son, Joey Ben Williams and wife Diana of Fairfield; a daughter, Sue W. Mann and husband Tom of Fairfield; a stepson, Hattan Watson Jr. and wife Carol of Littleton; two stepdaughters, Carolyn Land and husband John of Napierville, Ill. and Glenda Watson Malkuch of Buxton; grandchildren, Connie W. Gibbs and husband Christian, Jason Williams and wife Susan, Thomas Mann and Taylor Mann all of Fairfield; great-grandchildren, Scarlette and Holden Williams, Sara and Grant Gibbs, all of Fairfield; step-grandchildren, Randy Watson of Greenville, Mike Watson of Grimesland, Andrea Higgins of Oak Forest, Ill., Steve Land of Oswego, Ill., Kathy Land of Napierville, Ill., Todd Watson of Greenville, Wis., Charlie Herina of Swan Quarter, Dawn Wescott and Colleen Freye, both of Buxton; and 16 step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a stepson and his wife, Nelson and Frances Watson; brothers, Macon, Daniel, Fred, Luther and Clay Williams; sisters, Laura Bratcher, Lillian Horrath, Cherry Selby, Margaret Sexton, Rena Bell Williams and Francis Herdliska.

The family suggests that memorial be directed to Baptist Children’s Home of N.C., P.O. Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27360.

The family will receive friends at Bryan Funeral Service, Swan Quarter, from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. today and other times at the home of Joey Ben and Diana Williams, 1966 Newlands Road, Fairfield.

Online sympathy messages may be directed to www.bryanfs.com.