Roy Williams

Roy Williams, 95, of Asheville, passed away on Wednesday, January 15th, 2020. He had resided at Trinity View Retirement Community for the past ten years.

Mr. Williams was born November 9, 1924 in McDowell County, and was raised by his grandparents, Mac and Dovie Williams. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Annette Morris Williams.

He was a graduate of Lee H. Edwards High School in Asheville. Upon graduation, he departed for basic training in the United States Army. Mr. Williams was a WWII Veteran, arriving in the 3rd wave at Normandy on Utah Beach. He participated in battles from Belgium to Germany, and was injured in a counterattack in Lammersdorf, Germany. For his honorable and faithful service, he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, Three Bronze Battle Stars, the Good Conduct Medal and the European African Middle Eastern Ribbon. After his service in WWII, he returned to Asheville, where he received an Associate’s Degree from Blanton’s Business College in Motor Traffic Management. He retired from Billings Trucking Company after a long career in trucking management.

Surviving are his daughters, Sharon Williams Duckett and Susan Elaine Williams; grandchildren, Ann Duckett Goosmann and husband, Greg, Nicki Duckett Ingle and husband, Bobby, Roddy Duckett and wife, Kelly, and Sarah Elizabeth Houston; as well as seven great-grandchildren, George, Will and Catherine Goosmann, Pierce and Isabelle Ingle, and Rob and Wes Duckett.

He will be remembered by his family and friends for his tremendous work ethic, magnetic personality and positive outlook on life, for Bingo games with his grandchildren, and rides around town in his pickup truck with his great-grandchildren.

A memorial service for Mr. Williams will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 19, in the Patton Avenue Chapel of Groce Funeral Home, with Pastor Steve Ridenhour officiating. The family will receive friends 30 minutes prior to the service.

Graveside services will follow at Green Hills Cemetery in Asheville.

Memorial donations in his honor may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate.