Obituary for Leo V. Williams, Jr.
Leo Virginius Williams, Jr. 96, transitioned peacefully in his home on July 10, 2022. A native of Norfolk born on April 14, 1926 at 828 Johnson Avenue, to the late Bessie and Leo V. Williams, Sr. He was preceded in death by his sisters Marie W. Harris, Adaline W. Woodhurst, and brother Luther B. Williams, Sr. He was a graduate of the Class of 1943 of Booker T. Washington High School. Shortly after graduation, he served in the US Navy as a Pharmacist Mate Third Class. He was among the first African Americans to serve in the Medical Corps. Upon his departure from the US Navy, he pursued his education at Norfolk Division of Virginia State College (1951), Virginia State University (1953), and the University of Virginia (1963). Leo was very proud to be among the first African Americans to receive a graduate degree from the UVA.
Leo began his career as a math and business teacher at Ruffner Middle School (formerly Ruffner Junior High). Following this assignment, he served as the principal at Titustown, Robert E Lee and Oceanair Elementary Schools. Robert E. Lee was one of the first integrated schools for staff members in 1963. Oceanair Elementary School was the first school to have a Black principal to serve in a White community following Massive Resistance in 1969. Mr. Williams often recalled many experiences regarding his first days at Oceanair, including approaching Oceanair Elementary School by car and seeing all of the signs being carried by whites that displayed disparaging language regarding the Civil Rights Movement. The signs depicted hatred and divisiveness. They also formed a physical barrier to prevent him from entering the school. His calm spirit and commitment to the assignment, that was God given, demonstrated a level of excellence that was quickly noted by the community and his superiors.
He served as the Assistant Director of Norfolk Model Cities Program as a representative from the Norfolk School Board, after which, he was promoted to be the Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services for Norfolk Public Schools (NPS). With this promotion, he became the 1st Black to serve on the Urban Assistance Incentive Fund Advisory Committee appointed by Former Governor Mills E. Godwin, Jr. In 1971, he was promoted to the Senior Director of Pupil Personnel Services. In this capacity, he served as the legal liaison for NPS, developed the first Rules, Rights and Responsibilities Student Handbook and implemented the first group of School Security Officers (currently school resource officers). He was also the first Black to serve in this role. Additionally, he was appointed to serve on the Urban Assistance Incentive Fund Advisory Committee by Former Governor Linwood Holton. Mr. Williams retired in 1995 with over 40 years of service to NPS. In 1998, he became an adjunct professor at Norfolk State University, where he taught School Law and School Community Relations at the graduate level. In 2010 he returned to Norfolk Public Schools to serve as the ISS Coordinator at W.H. Taylor Elementary School, where he remained until 2016. He fully retired in 2016, at the tender age of 90.
While matriculating at Virginia State University, Mr. Williams was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, in 1952. For many years he served as a graduate advisor and was a past president of the Norfolk Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. His work in service to the community extended to being a member of the Norfolk Rotary Club and on the board of the St. Brides Correctional Facility.
Leo was reared in the historic Bank Street Memorial Baptist Church. He is a former member of Mt. Hermon Baptist Church, and a current member of Mt Lebanon Baptist Church (Norfolk, Virginia).
His legacy will be carried through the years by his wife Carolyn (Doll) Lewis Williams, son Major General (Ret) Leo V. Williams, III (Vicki) of Charleston, South Carolina; Audrey W. Avery of Chesapeake, VA; Michael E. Williams of Los Angeles, California; Dr. Veleka (Ka) M. Gatling (Rev. R. Perez) of Norfolk, VA; Khandice M. W. Darrell (Zuri) of Smiths, Bermuda. Grandchildren, Leo V. Williams, IV; Loren Williams, Tiffany Avery, Alexis Avery and Lewis Gatling. Three great-grandchildren, Leo V. Williams, V; London Rose and Avery Grimes. Cousins, Paula Jean Payton and Walter “Buster” Williams. Brothers in law, Joseph E. Lewis (Brenda) of Montgomery Village, MD; Moses L. Lewis, II (Barbara) of Ellicott City, MD; and Rev. Steven A. Lewis (Roslyn) of Chesapeake, VA. Host of nieces and nephews. Dear friend, Mary Ann Bowen and Grand-dog, Hershey.
Psalm 91:14-16 14Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
Leo began his career as a math and business teacher at Ruffner Middle School (formerly Ruffner Junior High). Following this assignment, he served as the principal at Titustown, Robert E Lee and Oceanair Elementary Schools. Robert E. Lee was one of the first integrated schools for staff members in 1963. Oceanair Elementary School was the first school to have a Black principal to serve in a White community following Massive Resistance in 1969. Mr. Williams often recalled many experiences regarding his first days at Oceanair, including approaching Oceanair Elementary School by car and seeing all of the signs being carried by whites that displayed disparaging language regarding the Civil Rights Movement. The signs depicted hatred and divisiveness. They also formed a physical barrier to prevent him from entering the school. His calm spirit and commitment to the assignment, that was God given, demonstrated a level of excellence that was quickly noted by the community and his superiors.
He served as the Assistant Director of Norfolk Model Cities Program as a representative from the Norfolk School Board, after which, he was promoted to be the Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services for Norfolk Public Schools (NPS). With this promotion, he became the 1st Black to serve on the Urban Assistance Incentive Fund Advisory Committee appointed by Former Governor Mills E. Godwin, Jr. In 1971, he was promoted to the Senior Director of Pupil Personnel Services. In this capacity, he served as the legal liaison for NPS, developed the first Rules, Rights and Responsibilities Student Handbook and implemented the first group of School Security Officers (currently school resource officers). He was also the first Black to serve in this role. Additionally, he was appointed to serve on the Urban Assistance Incentive Fund Advisory Committee by Former Governor Linwood Holton. Mr. Williams retired in 1995 with over 40 years of service to NPS. In 1998, he became an adjunct professor at Norfolk State University, where he taught School Law and School Community Relations at the graduate level. In 2010 he returned to Norfolk Public Schools to serve as the ISS Coordinator at W.H. Taylor Elementary School, where he remained until 2016. He fully retired in 2016, at the tender age of 90.
While matriculating at Virginia State University, Mr. Williams was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, in 1952. For many years he served as a graduate advisor and was a past president of the Norfolk Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. His work in service to the community extended to being a member of the Norfolk Rotary Club and on the board of the St. Brides Correctional Facility.
Leo was reared in the historic Bank Street Memorial Baptist Church. He is a former member of Mt. Hermon Baptist Church, and a current member of Mt Lebanon Baptist Church (Norfolk, Virginia).
His legacy will be carried through the years by his wife Carolyn (Doll) Lewis Williams, son Major General (Ret) Leo V. Williams, III (Vicki) of Charleston, South Carolina; Audrey W. Avery of Chesapeake, VA; Michael E. Williams of Los Angeles, California; Dr. Veleka (Ka) M. Gatling (Rev. R. Perez) of Norfolk, VA; Khandice M. W. Darrell (Zuri) of Smiths, Bermuda. Grandchildren, Leo V. Williams, IV; Loren Williams, Tiffany Avery, Alexis Avery and Lewis Gatling. Three great-grandchildren, Leo V. Williams, V; London Rose and Avery Grimes. Cousins, Paula Jean Payton and Walter “Buster” Williams. Brothers in law, Joseph E. Lewis (Brenda) of Montgomery Village, MD; Moses L. Lewis, II (Barbara) of Ellicott City, MD; and Rev. Steven A. Lewis (Roslyn) of Chesapeake, VA. Host of nieces and nephews. Dear friend, Mary Ann Bowen and Grand-dog, Hershey.
Psalm 91:14-16 14Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.