Melburn Sherrell Williams, of Radford, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. Melburn was born on December 30, 1916 in Roanoke, Virginia. He is the son of the late W. Marshall Williams and the late Mary Mahone Williams. He was also preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife of over 50 years, Elizabeth Fitzmaurice Williams, and his brother Gerald M. Williams.
Survivors include his good friends and extended family: Dr. Richard and Lura Alice Robertson of Radford, Dr. Bill and Barbara Prillaman of Radford, Barbara Duncan of Radford and Ken and Jane Johnson of Farmington Hills, Michigan.
A 1934 graduate of Jefferson Senior High School, Roanoke, he attended National Business College in Roanoke and the Southeastern Institute for Commercial Organization Executives in Durham, N. C. He was employed in the main accounting office of the Appalachian Electric Power Company in Roanoke. Later, in 1946, he came to Radford as Executive Secretary of the Radford Chamber of Commerce. Melburn founded Builders Ready Mix concrete (first ready-mix plant west of Roanoke) in 1948 and served as president.
He also served as president of the Virginia Ready Mix Concrete Association, past president of Radford Coal and Lumber Company, and as vice-president of Chatmoss Furniture Corporation. Melburn came out of retirement to serve on the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board as a regional director. Seminars at VPI and the EPA prepared him well for his service in this position. The Virginia Air Pollution Control Board recognized him in 1978 for his 10 years of service to the board.
Melburn served as secretary of the Radford Rotary Club for many years. He also served on the advisory committee of the First Virginia Branch Bank for several years.
Melburn has been a member of Virginia May Lodge #38 AF and AM, a volunteer at Radford Hospital for 30 years and, as an avid supporter of Radford University, he, and his wife Elizabeth, established the Melburn and Elizabeth Williams Scholarship in Nursing.
Melburn and Elizabeth enjoyed spending the winters in Naples, Florida. In his later years, he lived full time in the state of Virginia that he loved. Melburn always said “I was born a Virginian and I will die a Virginian”.
On behalf of Melburn and ourselves, his family and friends would like to extend gratitude and appreciation to Good Samaritan Hospice and Home Instead Senior Care for their kindness, compassion and supportive care.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. today October 14, 2017 at Sherwood Memorial Park Cemetery, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Virginia with Reverend Craig Rutherford, Sr. of Belmont Christian Church in Roanoke officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Belmont Christian Church, 1101 Jamison Avenue, SE, Roanoke, Virginia 24018.
The Williams family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford, Virginia.
