The Williams

Asheville, The Reverend Dr. Harley M. Williams, 95, passed away on Friday, March 04, 2016 at his residence at Givens Estate where he had resided since 2005. Harley was born in Concord, North Carolina, on October 24, 1920, the son of the late Reverend Neil C. Williams, Sr. and Virginia Harris Williams. He was also preceded in death by two brothers; Reverend N. C. Williams, Jr. and Lester H. Williams. He graduated from high school in High Point, attended Wofford College and transferred to High Point College where he graduated in 1945. That same year he enrolled in Duke Divinity School, where he was elected President of the Student Body. Later in his ministerial career, he was awarded an Honorary Degree from High Point University. Harley retired from active ministry in 1986 and moved with his wife, Ethel, to Lake Junaluska. His early ministry began following graduation from Duke Divinity School in 1945, when he was appointed as the Associate Minister at West Market United Methodist in Greensboro. In 1946, Dr. Williams was appointed Chaplain for the Cadets of Oak Ridge Military Academy, and pastor to the community. He was married in 1946, to Ethel Campbell, and they recently celebrated their 70th Anniversary. From Oak Ridge, he was appointed to the Methodist Church at Davidson College. Other pastorates included Belmont Park Street, Winston Salem Central Terrace, Monroe Central, Thomasville Memorial, and a second appointment at West Market Street in Greensboro. He served as Superintendent of the Greensboro District, the Director of the Conference Council on Ministries of the WNC Conference, Superintendent of the Gastonia District and Superintendent of the Waynesville District. Dr. Williams also served on the Board of Trustees at Greensboro College; the Triad Home in Winston Salem; the Methodist Home in Charlotte; the Children's Home in Winston Salem; Givens Estates and Goodwill Industries. As Council Director, Dr. Williams was instrumental in the Foundation for the Western North Carolina Conference. His chief interest was the promotion of studies leading to the establishment of group homes for the mentally disabled in the WNC conference. He was a 20 year member of Rotary International, a frequent speaker for the Naturalization Ceremonies for the Middle District Court of NC and Staley Lecturer at Columbia College. Reverend Dr. Williams is survived by his wife, Ethel Campbell Williams; two daughters, Ginger Rutland, and her husband, John, of Waynesville and Marie Paschal, and her husband, Jim, of Asheville and Panama City Beach; two grandsons, Jeremy Rutland (Kristee) and Jarrett Rutland (Natalie); two granddaughters, Jennifer Paschal (Monica) and Heather Paschal; one great-grandson, Christopher; and several nephews and nieces. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 7, 2016 at First United Methodist Church of Waynesville with Reverend Sanford L. Giles, Jr., The Reverend Dr. Robert M. Blackburn, Jr. and Bishop Lawrence McCleskey officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be the clergy of the United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends following the service. An additional memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at Givens Estate, Asheville, NC. Memorials may be sent in his memory to the Residence Assistance Fund at Givens Estate 2360 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28803

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