Mr. Joseph Donald Williams, 31

HOPE MILLS

Joseph Donald Williams, 31, a native of Roseboro, passed away Wednesday, May 3, at his home in Hope Mills. He is survived by his son, Brayden Chance Williams, age seven, and by his parents Brenda and Philip Williams of Roseboro; by his sister, Emily Hobbs and her three children Lela, Will and Darcy-Ava, all of Salemburg; by aunts, uncles and cousins; and by his former wife Amber Dyer of Bangor, Maine and Fayetteville. He was three times champion of the Spelling Bee at Charles E. Perry Elementary. Joseph was a NC certified Emergency Medical Technician, and was awarded an Associates degree from Clinton Community College, Plattsburgh, NY and further attended the State University of NY, Plattsburgh, as a senior. He was a former member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, a certified open water SCUBA diver, and a charter member of the Department of Homeland Security. He was a lifelong member of St James Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fayetteville. He was an accomplished musician, a talented artist, a creative cook, and a persistent fisherman. He was a veteran of the NC Army National Guard. Joseph's death from heroin overdose followed a near-continuous ten year struggle with drugs. His cheerful way made him the idol of his nieces and nephew, and he spent the last weekend of his life with his son beside him swimming, biking, watching television, sleeping, eating, and going to church. The family has elected cremation through Butler Funeral Home of Roseboro. A memorial will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, May 15, at St James Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1424 Morganton Road, Fayetteville.

Services are by Butler Funeral Home, 401 W. Roseboro Street, Roseboro.