William Jackson Williams

William Jackson Williams, 84, of Virginia Beach, VA was born on December 3, 1938, in Princess Anne County, as the son of the late Richard A. Williams and Rosabell Butts Williams Fentress. He enjoyed life to the fullest extent, being hard working and industrious his entire life.  As he fell asleep in death on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, his family gathered around his bedside.  William held his family together and was always PRESENT in our lives and will be remembered for his witty nature, kind heart, along with a smile and laugh that would light up any room. William’s personality and everlasting smile, along with his humorous and friendly conversations were an inspiration to everyone.  He showed genuine love and concerned feelings to everyone he met, and never met a stranger.   He developed a strong love for Jehovah and his organization and symbolized his dedication by water baptism on July 18, 1986. William loved the Truth and shared his bible-based hope of God’s Kingdom with his family and all those that he came into contact with.  He was a faithful and dedicated servant of Jehovah God and an inspiration to his family, congregation and all who knew him.

William began his illustrious career with the City of Virginia Beach on April 26, 1962, as a laborer with the Department of Public Works.  When he joined the city, there were only 13 trash collection trucks and at his retirement in 1999 there were more than 150.  This was during a time when compared to today’s high-tech Automated Systems, refuse collection seemed quite primitive.  The days of the “Big Greens”, as the vehicles were called, were not equipped with heat or air conditioning.  There were no packers to mechanically pull the refuse into the truck, only a person stationed inside the body of the truck catching containers thrown to them from the curbside by co-workers.  The packers would then proceed to stomp the trash with their feet to pack it down.  In this era of waste collection, no container was too heavy, yet it had to be lifted high enough to be emptied into the side door located about five feet high on either side of the truck’s body, and when the body was filled to a certain capacity, the side doors were closed, and the refuse was tossed over the side of the truck.  The height of the truck was in excess of ten feet high.  William was a natural born leader, a hard worker and was dedicated to his occupation.  His excellent work ethics and leadership skills were quickly recognized by the first Superintendent of Community Service/Street Cleaning, and he was promoted within six months to drivers’ status.  On July 1, 1964, William was promoted to a Laborer IV position, which was only given to those that excelled in the field.  He held this position until July 1, 1968 and was then promoted to a Motor Equipment Operator I position, where he served for one year, and on July 1, 1969, he was promoted to a Public Works Labor Supervisor/Street Cleaning position where his continuing leadership skills, knowledge of the City’s geography, and his ability to motivate his employees to maximum productivity flourished.  His people skills allowed him to become the most well-respected Supervisor in the department.  William served as Labor Supervisor from July 1, 1969, until July 1, 1974.  On July 1, 1974, William became the first African American to be promoted to General Supervisor Community Service/Street Cleaning, which title would soon be changed to Community Service/Refuse Collection.  On March 1, 1987, William became the first black Superintendent of Public Works/Refuse Collection.  He was also the first and only person in Refuse history to work his way from the base labor position to the Superintendent, where he served for twelve years.  In his own words, “Quite an achievement for an old country boy, isn’t it?”.  William helped start the city’s recycling program and planned routes for drivers.  He founded a mentorship program for employees, and it was with his help that the city ushered in new, sophisticated mechanical trucks to hoist residents’ large black trash cans.  William had a magnificent career and was truly a Pioneer and a Mentor.  A Pioneer, because he set a standard, a standard for all present and future Municipal employees and others, to not be afraid to set their goals high and shoot for the stars, because they are reachable.  A Mentor, because he taught others that if you believe in yourself, even if you may not possess all of the attributes and qualifications that it would normally take to be successful, through hard work, dedication, and perseverance, you can conquer the world. 

He was predeceased by his daughter Portia Williams-Riddick, two sons William A. Lane; Stephen Ward; his sisters Ruth Naomi Riddick and A. Annette Cooper and Alberta Burnham; his brothers Charles A. Williams; Melvin Williams and Jefferson Richard Williams.  He is survived by; his daughters both of Virginia Beach, VA Cynthia Williams-Dewalt; Merry Williams-Heard (Colby Sr.); his sons Dr. William Williams (Dr. Angela Williams); Jackie Williams (Rashawn Hopper Williams) both of Charlotte, North Carolina; his grandchildren Stephanie Woodhouse-Brown (Jerry Brown II); William Williams (Shanice); Alonzo Devonte Pablo (Taylor); Connor Jacob Dewalt; William Jackson Williams; Jamie Riddick; James Riddick; all of Virginia Beach, VA; Simone Heard of Chesapeake, VA, Colby Heard Jr.(Amanda) of Norfolk, VA; Jared Williams of Portland Oregon; Tory Williams of Portsmouth, VA; Matthew Williams; Joshua Williams; Andrew Golden Sr. (Kyanna); Jeremy Golden (Dashia) all of Charlotte, NC;  his siblings all of Virginia Beach, VA Shirley Conley; Rueben Williams (Jacqueline), Audrey Cornick, and Evelyn Jeanette Lassister (James Jr); a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends who will miss him dearly.