Benjamin Berry Williams Sr. (BB), age 73, of Gloucester County, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016, at Riverside Walter Reed Hospital following a courageous battle with diabetes, end-stage heart disease, and kidney failure.

Born Feb. 7, 1943 in New Bern, North Carolina, he was the son of the late Lee Thomas and Vivia Harris Williams of Aurora, North Carolina. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one baby brother, Jessie Williams.

Berry was a 1961 graduate of Aurora High School. His career began in 1963 Newport News Shipbuilding as a helper in X31 electrician department. He was soon promoted to planner, and retired in 2006 in the cost engineering department after 45 years of service.

Berry was taught the Golden Rule (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you) at a very young age and he lived his whole life on this rule. He was a gentle giant of a man. A man of few words but could be counted on for all who know him. He loved his home, family and friends. It was just the little things in life he loved the most. Sitting outside, planting a garden, enjoying his tractors, watching the geese fly over, and of course going to North Carolina to deer and bird hunt when his health would allow him to do so.

Those remaining to cherish his memory are his wife of 48 years, Wanda Testino Williams; his sons, Benjamin Berry Williams Jr. and his wife Michelle, and Samuel Roy Williams and his wife Samantha, all of Gloucester; three grandsons, Ian Lyon, Jacob, and Lucas Williams; two granddaughters, Chloe and Isla Williams, and one brother, Lee Thomas Williams Jr. and his wife Varsity of Princeton, North Carolina.

The family received friends at Bellamy United Methodist Church on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016, from 10-11 a.m. with funeral services starting at 11 o’clock.

In memory of B.B., the family desires contributions to be made to Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue, P.O. Box 1417, Gloucester, Va. 23061, or to Bellamy United Methodist Church Hospitality Committee, 4870 Chestnut Fork Road, Gloucester, Va. 23061.

Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory, Gloucester, was in charge of arrangements.