Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Williams, Drew Benny January 4, 2008
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Robert Woolfitt http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00034.html#0008401 April 12, 2022, 1:08 pm

Virginian-Pilot  January 8, 2008
NORFOLK - Drew Benny Williams, 66, passed away peacefully in his sleep, Jan. 4, 
2008. Drew was born Jan. 22, 1941, in Detroit, Mich., and was the son of the late 
Walter and Bessie Williams. He was happily married to Regina V. K. Williams for 
more than 39 years and was the proud father of three children, Traci A. Massie 
(son-in-law Michael), Kristin L. Strickland (son-in-law W. Dwayne) and Drew 
Michael Williams (daughter-in-law Lea). Drew is best remembered for his warm smile 
and doting over his 10 grandchildren.

Drew attended Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, N.C., majoring in pre-
medicine before being drafted in the U.S. Army and serving in Vietnam with 
distinction as a medic SP5. Upon resuming his studies, he later graduated from 
Eastern Michigan University where he obtained his bachelor's degree in economics 
and philosophy and started post degree work. His professional career spanned more 
than 25 years as a director of human resources and labor relations, working for 
Best Products Inc., Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority, County of 
Washtenaw, Michigan and Saint Joseph Hospital in Ann Arbor Michigan. During his 
semi-retirement, Drew was head tennis coach at DeAnza Community College in 
Cupertino, Calif. and director of community campaigns and corporate development 
for the United Way of Santa Clara County, Calif. For a short period after moving 
to Norfolk, Drew was director of human resources for the Red Cross before his full 
retirement began in 2002.

Drew was a longtime member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He was involved in many 
community and civic activities, including giving free tennis lessons to 
disadvantaged children, facilitator for the Norfolk United Facing Race program, 
former member of the Board of the Southeast Junior Golf Association, supporter and 
former member of the Elizabeth River Project Board and religious education 
instructor at the Basilica of St. Mary of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Drew, the middle child of 11, was preceded in death by brothers, Walter and 
Charles and sisters, Mary Ann and Carolyn. He is survived by his wife, children 
and grandchildren, sisters, Louise, Shirley, Kathleen (O'Neil), Lura and Christine 
(John); brother, David (Warnie), brother-in-law, Charles and a host of nephews, 
nieces, cousins and friends.

In celebration of his life, there will be a public viewing 6:15 to 7 p.m. followed 
by reflections and time with the family Thursday at the Basilica of Saint Mary of 
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 232 Chapel St., Norfolk. A funeral will be 
held at 11 a.m. Friday, also at St. Mary's.

The family requests, in lieu of flowers, a contribution be made to the Drew B. 
Williams Scholarship Fund at SunTrust Bank. The scholarship will be given annually 
to a deserving student playing on the tennis team of an HBC university.

Riddick Funeral Service is handling arrangements.

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