Obituaries

Gary Dean Williams Dies at 71; Naval Career Took Him, Family Around the World

Former Vienna resident passed away Sunday at his North Carolina home surrounded by loved ones.

Gary Dean Williams passed away at home the morning of Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013 in the loving presence of his wife Susan and daughter Suzanne Russell.

Gary was born in Tiffin, Ohio on Feb. 27, 1942, the eldest of four children born to Estella and Paul Williams, and descendent of several generations of glass-makers at Tiffin Glass.

After graduating from Ohio University, Gary left land-locked Ohio to join the U.S. Navy and serve in Vietnam aboard the USS Bache DD-470. His naval career took him and his family around the world, including extended deployments in Hawaii and Japan, and work throughout the South Pacific, Asia and Europe.

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Gary had an abiding and lifelong interest in education, from both sides of the classroom. He attained an MBA from George Washington University and attended the Navy War College (Industrial College of the Armed Forces). He also taught at the Navy Supply Corps School in Athens, Ga., and after retiring from the Navy, developed training classes for several government programs.

After relocating from Vienna, Va. to Oriental, N.C. in 1995, Gary indulged his love of the water and the Carolina coast, building a home on Pierce Creek where he could observe local wildlife, fish from his dock, and boat in Pamlico Sound and the Neuse River. 

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He was a two-term president of Oriental Rotary and strong supporter of its charity-driven fundraising projects, especially the annual Tarpon Tournament. He was also active in St. Thomas Episcopal Church, shellfish gardening through NC Sea Grant, and a member of Minesott Golf Club, where he recently shot a hole-in-one.

Gary is survived by his wife, daughter, sons Gregory and Geoffrey, and five grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held for Gary at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Oriental N.C. A burial is being planned for a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.


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