Eileen Elizabeth Huette Williams completed her life’s journey on January 2, 2022, and is now at home. She was born on June 18, 1920, in Newport News, the second daughter of Pearl and Frank Huette.

 

Eileen, a graduate of Newport News High School, worked at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company before becoming a wife, mother, and “professional volunteer” known for extemporaneous speeches peppered with humor. At age 12, she was teaching Sunday School at Calvary Baptist Church. She was a faithful member of the Second Presbyterian Church which later united with Denbigh Presbyterian. She served at the local and the Presbytery levels in leadership and supportive roles. She was active at the inception of the phone crisis line Contact Peninsula which developed the first rape crisis program on the Peninsula, and she served as its Board Chair for 30 years. In 2001, Eileen received the Volunteer of the Year award from the Governor of Virginia.
 

A lifelong resident of the Peninsula, she was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John Davenport Williams Jr.; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Margaret Nicholls (John), Betty Duke (Thomas); and Frances Andrews (Clay);  sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law and their spouses, Daniel Williams (Dee); Thomas Williams (Warren), and Virginia Sheriff (Eric); nieces, Dana Williams and Kathryn Young; and nephew Stephen Sheriff.  

 

She is survived by her children, Bonnie Williams and J. D. Williams (Celia); her grandson, John Davenport Williams IV; and numerous nieces and nephews.

 

On Friday, January 14, at 3:00 pm, the interment will be at Peninsula Memorial Park, 12750 Warwick Blvd., Newport News.  

 

On Friday, January 28, at 2:00 pm, there will be a Celebratory Memorial Service at Denbigh United Presbyterian Church, 302 Denbigh Blvd., Newport News. The family will receive friends directly after the Memorial Service.  The CDC highly recommends masks for inside gatherings.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Denbigh United Presbyterian Church or Gideons International (South Camp), P.O. Box 9304, Hampton, VA 23670. 

 

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.