Randy Darnell Williams, age 83, of Boone County, West Virginia, and formerly of Maiden, North Carolina and Elizabethton, Tennessee, passed away peacefully and made his heavenly departure on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
Mr. Williams was born September 29, 1942, in Carter County, Tennessee, to the late Howard Jesse Hardin and Minnie Oliver Williams. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his brother Saunders Hardin; adoptive father, Jessie Williams; sister, Linda “Kay” Zimmerer; sister, Patsy Guinn; as well as aunts, uncles, and treasured friends.
He is survived by his four children, Chance Williams and his wife Michelle of Newton, NC, Chad Williams and his wife Shannon of Lincolnton, NC, Misty Williams and her partner Travis Pritt of Ottawa, WV, and Brandy Williams and her partner Jessie Lee of Procious, WV; three grandchildren: Connor Williams, Levi Williams, and Josh (Taylor) Williams; three great grandchildren: Brynlee, Drezdyn, and Gatlin Williams; his brother, Gary (Sue) Williams; his brother-in-law, Tom Zimmerer; as well as his many nieces, nephews, step-children, step-grandchildren, step-great grandchildren, and beloved friends.
Mr. Williams was a legend. As a teenager in Tennessee, he helped provide for his mother and siblings after the untimely death of their father. As he grew into a young man, he carried his responsible mindset to serve our nation for two and a half years through the Army Reserves. He was called to protect our country during the Martin Luther King, Jr. riots in the 1960s. Later, he went on to work for the U.S. Postal Service in Washington D.C. While he was hard-working man, he did enjoy fast cars, fun times, and traveling, making his way across the country. For anyone who knew him, they carry the stories of his life’s shenanigans, as he loved to reminisce about them fondly, even into his last days. He was a father to four children and a grandfather to three. No matter the distance that fell between them, he loved them all dearly. His love for “good old country” music eventually led him in service for the Lord as a gospel singer, songwriter, and musician. In his later years, his love for cars never faded, his fun times became word searches and spending time with family, and his travels led him to West Virginia.
Mr. Williams had a great appreciation for our native people, donating to the St. Labre Indian School for many years, to provide a quality education which celebrates faith and embraces Native American culture.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Labre Indian School at www.stlabre.org
The family will receive friends on Sunday May 31, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Cooke’s Funeral Home in Nitro, WV. His celebration of life will take place immediately after the receiving of friends at 2:00 p.m.
The family would like to thank Charleston Area Medical Center (General and Memorial Divisions) and its employees for their dedicated care of Mr. Williams during his time at their
facility. A sincere thanks is also given to the staff at Genesis Healthcare—Cedar Ridge Center in Sissonville, WV for their compassionate care of Mr. Williams during his last day.
Appreciation to Cooke’s Funeral Home for their service to the Williams family.
