Carole and Bennie Williams

Carole Culpepper Williams was born August 30, 1935 and died September 30, 2021 at the age of 86, 46 hours before the death her beloved husband, Bennie Lee Williams, Sr. born May 25, 1931 and died October 2, 2021.

Carole was born in Deep Creek to the late Leroy N. Culpepper, III, and Ruth W. Culpepper, and Bennie was born in Deep Creek/Norfolk County to the late Lafayette and Mary Della Williams.

Bennie and Carole married in 1952, started a family and began their long life together. For their “semi-retirement” they purchased a small farm in Suffolk, VA and became members of the Southside Baptist Church on Carolina Road in Suffolk.

They both graduated from Deep Creek High School. He lettered in 4 sports (football, basketball, baseball and track) and she played basketball, sporting #23. He also played two years with the semi-pro football team in Portsmouth under Coach Simpson.

Carole was a devoted mother and homemaker; most of her time was dedicated to their four children, but she, a gifted alto, also found time to sing in the church Choir throughout her life. She played the organ, accordion and piano. She retired as a supervisory accounting clerk for the City of Chesapeake’s Public Works Department. She was also a substitute teacher and a certified school bus driver. She loved her family and the Lord. She enjoyed vacationing with her family at the beach, doing crossword puzzles, playing croquet and spending time with her many close friends at church.

Carole and Bennie were noted for their frugality. Carole was a talented seamstress and made many outfits for their children.

Bennie proudly served in the US Army during the Korean War with the 92nd Armored Field Artillery, Red Devil Battalion and rose to the rank of Sergeant/Chief of Survey. He received the Korean Service medal with 3 Bronze Stars, United National Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal. He is a proud member of the American Legion. He retired from Virginia Chemical/Hoechst-Celanese Corporation after 37 years, having risen from sulfur burner to a respected laboratory technician.

A true “jack of all trades,” Bennie built, or helped build, several homes for his family and others. He considered his craftsman skills a gift from God. He was an avid outdoorsman, loving gardening, hunting and fishing.

He helped organize and coach little league football, basketball and baseball in Deep Creek and was the coach of the beloved “Stingers”. He was a certified A.S.A umpire and worked tournament games with men, women and young girls.

Bennie served on the Chesapeake Planning Commission for 10 years and served on many growth committees as Chesapeake was becoming the large city it is today.

He served on the Deep Creek Mosquito Control Commission for 8 years and was a charter member and a past president of the old Deep Creek Volunteer Fire Department. A devoted member of the Deep Creek Ruritan Club for 60+ years, Bennie served as President in 1972, was awarded “Ruritan of the Year” and traveled almost every January to the Ruritan National Convention at locations around the nation.

After registering with the Cradle Roll of the Deep Creek Baptist Church at the age of 12, Bennie accepted his Salvation from Jesus Christ. He was ordained a Deacon about the time of the move of the Church to the new building on Mill Creek Parkway, served as a Trustee and Trustee Chairman and was on the building and financial committees. A special thanks to Pastors Ernie Myers and Larry Ryals for helping him to grow his deep faith.

Carole and Bennie were survived by their children and their families: Sharon Burkhimer (Pete) and their children Angie (Chad) and their children Avery, Simon, Sonny; Jason and Adam (Sara) and their son Simon, Karen Jones (Ronnie, deceased) and their children Ron (deceased) and his daughter Emma; Tiffany (Lamonte) and their children Charley, Esther, Isabelle; and Heather (Daniel) and their children Kaya, Gabe, Layne, and Maddie; Bud Williams (Lorraine) and their children Bennie III “Trey” (mother, Pam) Kelsey (mother, Vickie), and Kyle (mother, Vickie); and Victor Williams (Linda), and their children Jennifer (Steve) (mother, Barbara) and their children Coleman, Isaac, Tristen and Samantha; Summer (Travis) (mother, Barbara) and their children Blake and Haylee; and Amber (Jermaine) (mother, Barbara) and their children, Josiah and Jeremiah. Bennie also leaves a sister, Myrtle Thompson and Carole is survived by sisters Phyllis Sawyer, Eleanor Culpepper and Sylvia Applewhite.

A funeral service for Carole and Bennie will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2021, 12 noon at Deep Creek Baptist Church, 250 Mill Creek Parkway, Chesapeake VA 23323 by Pastor Larry Ryals and Pastor Fred Gray. The family will receive friends on Friday, October 8, 2021, at R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory, 509 W. Washington Street, Suffolk VA 23434 from 6 pm to 7:30 pm and between 11 am and 11:30 am before the Saturday service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Gideon International or the Alzheimer’s Association. Condolences may be registered at RWBakerFH.com.