Adams announces the passing of Mr. Van Buren Williams, 86, who transitioned on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at his residence.

Adams announces the Graveside Service for Mr. Van Buren Williams, 1:00 P.M., Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at Hillcrest Abbey West.

Public Viewing will be from 2:00 - 4:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

Van Buren Williams departed this life Wednesday, May 19, 2021.  “Van” as he was affectionately known, was born on April 29, 1935, and was the only child born to Wilbert Williams and Myrtle Wilson Williams Carter in Statesboro, GA. Van was raised in a Christian home and accepted Christ at an early age.

The Williams family moved to Savannah, Georgia, where they established their family roots.  Van attended the Savannah School District and was a graduate of Woodville High School, now known as Woodville Thompkins High School.  Van was full of life and energy and wanted to have more and prosper. So, after high school, he and his best friend Bobby left Savannah and traveled up North in search of work and a better life.  There Van found his lifetime job of trucking.  He was a tractor-trailer driver and drove trucks up and down the highway.  He retired from Continental Containers Trucking in 1997.

It is often said that people are blessed to have many lives.  In Van’s early years, he was married and had three children Mitchell, Cordelia, and Michelle.  He loved his children and was very active in their lives.

In April 1997, Van met and married his loving and devoted wife, Gwendolyn Darden-Williams, and they moved back to Van’s hometown of Savannah.  Van loved living in Savannah and reconnecting with family and friends. Although Van lived in Savannah, he never lost his Philadelphia connection.  He traveled back and forth to Philadelphia at least three to four times a year and stayed connected with family and friends, and was very supportive, even at a distance.

Van was active in the community. He was a dedicated member of the Mary Flonoy Senior Center, where he and his wife hosted Bingo games, and he attended Cloverdale Community Center. He was a devoted member of the Thompkins Woodville Alumni Association, where he was the association’s reporter and was instrumental in developing annual events and programs. Van was also a dedicated member of The Falcon’s Social Club.

Van was an active member of Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic Church and was the audio technician for the 8 am service.  He was a member of the Holy Name Society; he belonged to the Legion of Mary, and he was a member of the 10 am Bible Study. Van often transported church members to and from church.  Van was a people person and would do any and everything he could to help anyone.

VanBuren leaves to mourn his loving wife Gwendolyn Darden Williams; his children Cordelia Williams, Philadelphia, PA; Lyle Darden (Sherri), Philadelphia, PA; Michelle (Jake), Tampa, FL; Mitchell Williams (Shirley), Savannah, GA; his sisters Tarra Murray (Fred), Fort Lauderdale, FL and Louise Williams, Atlanta, GA; sister-in-law, Serena Campher, Philadelphia, PA; eleven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends. Van was blessed to have family and friends who helped support and care for him during his time of illness. A special thank you goes to Granddaughter LaTasa, Cousin Jean Simmons, Cousin Kenneth Webb, Dorothy Jackson, Dorothy Ware, Reverend and Mrs. Emily Primm, Joyce Copeland, Antionette Lemon, Carmelita Mitchell, and Darlene Carter.

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