Claude N. Williams

Claude N. Williams, Sr., 81, of Morganton died Monday, October 7, 2013 at Burke Hospice Palliative Care Center. He was born in Burke County on March 29, 1932 and was a son of the late Fred Richard Williams and Ida Scott Williams. He graduated from Salem High School and attended Wake Forest University where he had to work part-time in the cafeteria cutting pies. He stayed for three months and then came home. Claude had a varied and long career beginning at Henredon where he was a tool and die maker, welder, and machinist; he managed his dad’s sawmill after his dad had a stroke; and then he worked for NC Prison Enterprises as a foreman. When this company moved to Sandhill, NC, Claude preferred to remain in Burke County. He worked at Broughton Hospital on third shift while attending Western Piedmont Community College where he earned an AASC in accounting and business administration. He was elected to Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges. Following his graduation he worked for Jack Williams Accounting, owned and operated ROW Grading, and owned a sawmill with a friend. Claude also obtained the Real Estate Salespersons Licenses in 1982, completed the County Administration Course at the Institute of Government at UNC-Chapel Hill; and obtained his General Contractor’s License in 1995. An active member of his community, Claude served on the Western Piedmont Council of Government Board and was a former deacon, Sunday school teacher, and RA leader. He loved his God, his family and his beloved cat, Tiger.Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 63 years, Rebecca Oxford Williams; his son, Claude N. Williams, Jr. and wife, D. J. of Asheville, NC; his daughter, Deborah Williams Scott and husband, Danny of Morganton; grandchildren, Joshua Rand Williams, Melissa Leigh Fender and fiancé, Alex Pashayan, Zachary Scott, and Cyrus Scott; brothers, Jack Williams and Howard Williams both of Morganton, and Don Williams and wife, Mary of Winston-Salem; sisters, Alice W. Wellons and husband, Rev. Charles Wellons of Shawboro, NC and Hazel W. Goode and husband, Dr. David Goode of Winston-Salem.In addition to his parents, Claude was preceded in death by brothers, Joe F. Williams and Wayne M. Williams.The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 9, 2013 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with the Reverends Tim Horldt and Francis King officiating. Burial will follow at Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690.