HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 187 Offered January 9, 2008 Prefiled January 9, 2008 Celebrating the life of Howard Nathaniel Williams. ---------- Patron-- Jones, S.C. ----------

WHEREAS, Howard Nathaniel Williams of Suffolk, a respected citizen and beloved community benefactor, died on May 24, 2007; and

WHEREAS, the son of the late Henley Nathaniel and Dora Williams, Howard Williams was a longtime resident of Suffolk and a man of great religious faith and a strong sense of duty to his community; and

WHEREAS, Howard Williams loved to travel, and he explored the historical places and culture of many third world countries, and in 1978, he traveled to Communist China to distribute Gideon Bibles; and

WHEREAS, throughout his life, Howard Williams gave his time and many talents to numerous civic organizations, including as a member of the boards of the Chamber of Commerce, the American Red Cross, and the German Club; as president of the Cotillion Club, Club 13, Kings Fork Ruritan Club, and when his children were young, Kings Fork Elementary School PTA; and as a member of the Suffolk Shrine Club, the Khedive Temple, and Scottish Rite and Masonic Lodge No. 30; and

WHEREAS, since 1943, Howard Williams was a faithful member of Main Street United Methodist Church, where he served as the chairman of the administrative board; president of the chairman of ushers, delegate to the annual conference, and Sunday school teacher of the Men’s Bible Class; and member of the church's Boy Scout Troop I Committee; and

WHEREAS, Howard Williams enjoyed antiquing, collecting antique clocks, and painting in acrylics and oil; and he was a great supporter of the arts as a member of the Suffolk Art League, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and Suffolk Cultural Art Center; and

WHEREAS, Howard Williams was devoted to his family and was always ready to help his fellow citizens in need in his community and abroad; and

WHEREAS, Howard Williams will be fondly remembered for his kind and generous nature and greatly missed by his devoted wife of 64 years, Antionette Poulson Williams; his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, whom he loved and nurtured; and his numerous other loving family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of an outstanding Virginian, Howard Nathaniel Williams; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Howard Nathaniel Williams as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.