Mr. Chester W. Williams, age 96, died Tuesday at the Ogeechee Area Hospice Inpatient Facility. The native of Jefferson County was a longtime resident of Statesboro. Mr. Williams was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Akins Williams. He attended Stapleton Elementary and graduated from Stapleton High School in Stapleton, Ga. He received a B.S. in in Education from Georgia Southern College on an athletic scholarship, where he lettered in varsity basketball, football, track and the boxing team. He earnes a Master's of Education degree from the University of Georgia.

Mr. Williams served as principal of Metter High School for 10 years, principal of North Habersham High School (Class A School) in Clarksville, Ga., and principal of Reidsville High School. Throughout his tenure in the public schools of Georgia, he served as athletic director, varsity coach, classroom teacher and principal of junior and senior high Schools. He attended the Navel Officers' School in Hollywood, Fla., was recognition and gunnery officer on the "U.S. General W.G. Haan" and completed four years of Citizen's Military Training in Charleston, S.C., was a lieutenant in the US Naval Reserves and was also a member of the Statesboro National Guard from 1931-1933.

Mr. Williams was an active member of the First Baptist Church, where he had served as Sunday School teacher and department superintendent and deacon. He served as president of the Loins Club and the Kiwanis Club. He had previously served as chairman of the Heart Fund Drive, the March of Dimes Committee, Polio County Committee, P.T.A. and the Band Boosters. He also was a member of the Silver Haired Legislature and has served as speaker of the house for the group. Mr. Williams had been a member of Southern Boosters since 1982. He was president of the Letterman's Club when the Eagle's Roost Room was built in the Hanner Fieldhouse. He was magistrate judge of the Small Claims Court for four years and had been active in many other community services over the years.

Survivors include his son, Roger Bron Williams of Statesboro; a number of nieces and nephews and many friends.

Visitation will be held Friday, October 10, 2008, from 6-8 p.m. at Hodges-Moore Funeral Home.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, October 11, 2008, at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church. The body will lie in state at the church one hour prior to service.

Burial will be in Eastside Cemetery.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Chester W. Williams Scholarship Fund, c/o Georgia Southern Boosters, P.O. Box 8115, Statesboro, GA 30460.

Hodges-Moore Funeral Home of Statesboro is in charge of the arrangements.

Statesboro Herald
October 9, 2008

Contributed by Find-a-Graver, JoAnn Hagans Harris.