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Roger B. Williams

Apr 12, 2024

Roger Bruce Williams, 81, of Martinsburg, WV passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Monday, April 1, 2024 at Berkeley Medical Center. Born Dec. 28, 1942, at Kings Daughters Hospital in Martinsburg, WV, he was the son of the late Charles Henry Williams and Grace Kathryn Minghini Williams.

He was a graduate of Musselman High School in the Class of 1960. He played the coronet in the Appleman Marching Band. He was the assistant editor of the Cider Press and was a member of the Quill and Scroll Society. After high school, Roger attended Potomac State College for several semesters, leaving to join the West Virginia Air National Guard. He served in the 167 th Air National Guard for 33 years as a Civil Engineer and achieved the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. During his service, Roger furthered his education at Shepherd College obtaining a Regent’s Bachelor of Arts in 1979. Following basic training, Roger was employed at Capitol Cement in Martinsburg. He retired from Capitol Cement after 41 years of employment, serving as a kiln operator and mill operator. He also served as Treasurer for the Capitol Cement Federal Credit Union.

In 1968, Roger joined South Berkeley Volunteer Fire Department. He helped establish the paramedic program in Berkeley County and started the first IV in the field in 1981. As a lifetime member of South Berkeley Volunteer Fire Department, he served as Rescue Chief and later as Safety Officer. He took great pride in earning the Most Calls Award at the annual SBVFC award banquet. He spent 45 years serving Berkeley County as a volunteer firefighter. In addition to his service to South Berkeley County, Roger was a Firefighter 1 and Firefighter 2 Instructor as well as a BCLS Instructor. He was also appointed to the Berkeley County Fire Board, serving a term as President. He married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Judith Ann Wetzel, at Inwood United Methodist Church on Oct. 17, 1964. They were married for 59 years before her untimely passing on May 6, 2023. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Donald Henry Williams, and sister, Dorothy Virginia Williams Hess. He is survived by three children – D. Michelle Williams (Frank Kimbro), Christopher Michael Williams (Laura Williams), and Trisha Nicole Exline (Jamie Exline); six grandchildren – Challice Brieanne LaRose (Ryan LaRose), Zachary Laing (Cameron Laing), Chloë Williams (Jake Garcia), Quincy Williams (Michael Gilligan), Camden Exline, and Caleb Exline; and three great grandchildren Eleanora “Ellie” LaRose, Lyle LaRose, and Leon “Lonnie” Laing.

A memorial service will be held at the Gerrardstown United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 27, 2024. The family will receive guests from 1-3 p.m. and a service will follow at 3 p.m. Interment will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to South Berkeley Volunteer Fire Department or the Berkeley County Humane Society.

Arrangements made by Brown Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be offered at www.BrownFuneralHomesWV.com.