Henry “Lil Henry” Ford Williams

08/30/1952 - 10/31/2024

Obituary For Henry “Lil Henry” Ford Williams

Henry “Lil Henry” Ford Williams, 72 of Cascade, Virginia passed October 31, 2024. Public viewing will be held from 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Tuesday November 5, 2024 at Perry- Spencer Funeral Home 511 Henry St. Eden, NC . Visitation will be held from 11:30 p.m. - 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at Shiloh Way of The Cross Church 938 Brookdale St. Martinsville, VA with service beginning at 12 noon. Internment will follow at Danville Memorial Gardens, 510 Church Avenue, Danville, VA. At other times, the family will receive friends at the home from 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

Henry "Lil Henry" Ford Williams was born on August 30, 1952, to the late Abraham and Lucinda Williams at Winslow Hospital in Danville, VA. On Thursday, October 31, 2024, a sudden and silent overcame him and sadly we were forced to let him go.

Henry was educated in the Pittsylvania County School System and graduated from Tunstall High School in 1970. He briefly attended the Cortez Peters Business College in Washington, DC, before realizing the fast paced, sometimes violent city life, was not for this country boy. He soon found employment as a weaver at Fieldcrest-Cannon in Eden, NC which eventually became Karastan Rugs and finally Mohawk Industries. Lil Henry, as they called him, worked there for 48 ½ years before being forced into retirement. His goal was to reach 50 years, which very few employees had attained. During this time, he also worked part-time in the Sears/Automotive Department at the Liberty Fair Mall.

Henry met Cynthia Gwen Turner and in 1973 they were married in Axton, VA. The resided in Cascade, VA and to this union were born three daughters. Over the years, Henry attended St. Paul Holiness Church with his wife and daughters and later frequented Shiloh WOTCC, Only Way Church. Evangelical Holiness and Triumph WOTCC. Though they faced many challenges over the last 25 years, they were both there for each other and enjoyed the many blessings the Lord gave them with the addition of sons-in-law, grandchildren and retirement. “Deddy”, as he was affectionately called by his daughters, enjoyed restoring his late brother's Chevelle and the family's Malibu. He had an affinity for muscle cars. He often shared this with his wife and daughters by “dragging them all over the countryside to car shows, junkyards, swap meets and drag races. His daughters were not exempt from being asked to pump the brakes or drive the cars around the yard so he could see how something looked or was working. He often let them sit in his lap while driving (before mandatory car seats). And yes, he was strictly a ”Chevy Man" all his life! He took time to teach his girls some simple things they needed to do to take care of their cars! Henry spent a lot of time with his family in the community walking up and down the road to visit one another and playing basketball in the cul-de-sac at Cousin Dot's. He and his daughters were Carolina Panthers, UNC Tarheel and Chicago Bulls fans. Henry cared for his mother until she passed in 2008 by taking her to doctors appointments, the grocery store and doing odds and ends around her house. When his brother, Roy, retired, he helped him move to Eden and was his transportation for many years until last Thursday. He helped his daughter and her children after the sudden death of her husband, staying with her, keeping the kids and picking them up from school until his untimely passing. Henry also enjoyed country music! He was a hard-working man, not lazy, providing for his family, taking care of his home and putting his daughters through college. He was a man of simple pleasures, satisfied with things just as they were. His philosophy was, “If it ain't broke don't fix it”. He always supported his daughters, very protective of them and instructing them. As a father, he was not blessed with any sons, but all three of his daughters blessed him with six grandsons that he was very proud of and supported them in all their activities.

Prior to retirement, health issues began to set in, but he overcame most of them. Even during this time, Lil Henry still found the time to catch up with is retired work companions for a recurring breakfast appointment, which e enjoyed very much.

Henry was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Norman Winston Williams; his father and mother-in-law, John Henry and Viola Turner, one brother-in-law; Claiborne L. Turner, one sister-in-law; Hilda M. Reynolds, one son-in-law; Korey R. Scales and many other relatives who are too numerous to name.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife of 51 years; Cynthia Gen Turner Williams of the home, three daughters; Keevie W. (Bishop-Designate) Christopher Hairston of Vinton, VA, Melanie W. Scales of Axton, VA and Brittany W. (Lamont) Johnson of Lynchburg, VA. Six grandsons; Ethan C. Hairston, Israel A. Hairston, Kolton J. Scales, Mason W. Scales, Micah W. Johnson and Landry A. Johnson; one brother, Roy Thomas Williams; two brothers-in-law; John (Priscilla) Turner and Alvin Turner; one siter-in-law, Valerie T. Wilson; six nephews, Mitch, Darrell, Roy, Jr., Demetrius, Kevin and Shaki; three nieces, Brandi, Rible, Cherika and a host of other great nephews, great nieces, cousins, his former Mohawk co-workers and Cascade community friends.