Birth Date: 11/29/1947
Deceased Date: 01/26/2023
Gerald Raiford Williams (1947-2023) was the son of David and Genia Raiford Williams. He was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and grew up in Smithfield, North Carolina, where his father and uncle ran a grocery store and where his mother was a schoolteacher. Gerald had a brilliant mind and a promising future as a student at Johnston County Training School, where he graduated in 1965 with honors. His classmates voted him “Most Musical” and “Wittiest”. He played trumpet in the JCTS marching band under the leadership of the celebrated band director John R. “Doc” Windley. After high school, he attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, where he was a member of the university’s famous marching band. The FAMU Marching 100 was described in the 1968 Paramount Pictures movie, “Half Time USA” as the “marchingest and playingest band in America.” They performed at the Super Bowl and in major cities across the country, including Detroit, the home of Motown Records.
Berry Gordy, Jr., Motown CEO, recruited Gerald and some of his band buddies to join the touring band for the Motown Revue in 1967. They toured the United States and abroad, accompanying artists such as Little Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. He and Smokey soon became chums.
Gerald’s life took a dramatic change after two years on the Motown circuit. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1969 and sent to Vietnam. He served in the 170th Aviation Company, 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment of the First Cavalry Division. The end of his overseas service included six months in the secret war in Laos. Post-traumatic stress disorder and sleeplessness caused by the unspeakable tragedies he experienced in southeast Asia, including the loss of his true love, would be ever-present for the next five decades.
Gerald was an overcomer. He returned to his parents in Smithfield in 1971 but soon followed one of his former army buddies to Los Angeles, California. He thought the solace of a fellow battle-scarred comrade would be helpful. His attachment to home and family eventually brought him back to Smithfield, where he would remain until his death. He worked in a variety of positions—chauffeur for Mr. A. L. Hobgood, selling insurance, working at Dafford Funeral Home in Dunn, the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh and Smithfield Manor Nursing Home.
In his spare time he enjoyed doing genealogical research and connecting with many of his Williams, Draughorn, Raiford, and Dublin cousins. After losing his vision in the last several years of his life, his favorite pastime was talking to members of his extended family on his cell phone.
He will be remembered for his loyalty to family and friends, his sharp mind, his music, his quick wit, his ability at mimicry, and his gift for telling stories and recalling minute details, even those from the distant past. Truly his death can be compared to a library burning to the ground.
Please visit www.rlsandersfuneralhome.net to leave your online condolences.
