Clarence Preston Williams, 80, of Fredericksburg, departed this life on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, after a period of illness.

He was born March 31, 1932, in Orange County to the late Victor Vincent Williams and Bertha Mae Starks Williams. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter Patricia Williams; brother Othineil Williams; and two sisters, Florine Snead and Earlene Campbell.

He attended the public schools of Orange and served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. After returning home from the military, he was hired by General Motors Corporation in New Jersey. During his later years, he was transferred to the Fredericksburg Division of General Motors, where he retired after 40 years of service.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Martha Hardy Williams of Fredericksburg; two daughters, Brenda Alston of Newark and Leslie Zoe Williams of New Brunswick; one sister, Mary Johnson and husband Wallace of Rapidan; four brothers, Victor Williams and wife Cherry of Unionville, Eugene Williams and wife Mary of Upper Marlboro, Md., Howard Williams and wife Beatrice of Unionville, and Robert Williams of Rahway, N.J.; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Satchell's Funeral Home from 6 until 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22.

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, at the Mount Calvary Baptist Church on Kendall Road in Orange, with Elder Timothy Williams officiating and Pastor Willie D. Crenshaw as eulogist.

The body will lie in state at the church from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. service begins.

Satchell's Funeral Service Inc., of Orange, is in charge of arrangements.