Gary Bryan Williams Sr.

Rocky Mount – Gary Bryan Williams, Sr., age 78, passed away on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.  Born in Nash County, NC on October 11, 1946, he was the son of the late Joseph Floyd Williams and Isabel Hart Williams.  He was also preceded in death by his grandparents, Henry Bryan Hart, Jr. and Mary Isabel Latimer Hart; his sister, Mary Jo Williams Wallace; and his brother, John Thomas “Johnny” Williams.

A graduate of Rocky Mount Senior High in 1967, Gary was a proud member of the Blackbird Varsity Football team during his junior and senior years. He was a member of the Rocky Mount Shrine Club for many years as well as the Moose Lodge and enjoyed serving others through those organizations.  Gary enjoyed playing golf, hitting the greens whenever he could, and was a member of Birchwood Country Club and Benvenue Country Club.  He was a long time, active member of the Church of the Good Shepherd, having attended since childhood and participated in the children’s choir in grammar school, and additionally serving on the Vestry in his later years.  He was a long-time member of BSA Troop 11 that met at the Good Shepherd and rose to the rank of the Eagle Scout. Gary was employed by Rosenbloom Levy for a number of years, then had a long-term relationship at Hampton House with Gary Weaver, and later with Jos. A Banks.  He met many people during those years and cultivated many friendships.

Gary survived childhood polio by the age of 5, but unfortunately later in his life, he developed Post Polio Syndrome, which made it more difficult for him to walk without assistance, but Gary was determined to overcome the disease again and joined the local YMCA where he could be seen every morning participating in exercises, water aerobics and walking with his Y buddies.  One of Gary’s many talents was cooking and he could create a delicious artful dish from the cover of Gourmet Magazine or just plain good food.  It was a pleasure to sit at his table for a meal.

Gary is survived by his son, Gary “Bryan” Williams, Jr. (Amber); his sisters, Isabel Hart W. Matthews and Rebecca Williams Riggins (Finton); his former wife and mother of his son, Dale Fitzgerald; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and good friends.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Gary’s life will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 11:30 AM at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 231 N Church St, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 with Rev. Becky Zartman Carpenter officiating.  Visitation with the family will be from 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM prior to the service in the church parlor at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Gary’s memory to the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 231 N Church St, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394, or the Harrison Family YMCA, PO Box 4063, Rocky Mount, NC 27803.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.  You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.