Hazael J. Williams IV

Hazael Joseph Williams IV, 83, passed away on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Joe was born in Richmond, on June 6, 1942. 

He was the son of the late Dr. Hazael Joseph Williams III and Louise Pugh Williams.

Joe was a 1959 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School. He continued his education at the University of Richmond with a major in chemistry, he later attended the University of Virginia, where he earned his master’s degree in science education. From 1968 until 1972, he taught math, science, and chemistry at Buffalo Gap High School.

A proud veteran of the United States Navy, Joe attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, and graduated from the United States Navy Deep Sea Diving School in Washington, D.C. During the Vietnam Conflict, he served aboard the USS Reclaimer (ARS-42) along the coast of Vietnam and WestPac. He later received the Naval Commendation Medal for meritorious achievement while serving as Commanding Officer of the Naval Reserve Center in Staunton from 1983 until 1991. Joe remained active in the Navy Reserves until his retirement on September 8, 1991, retiring with the rank of Commander after twenty-seven years of faithful service.

Following his military and teaching career, Joe worked as Purchasing Manager at Westinghouse/McQuay for over twenty-five years. After retirement, he spent fifteen years working alongside his sons with Williams Brothers Tree and Lawn Service.

Throughout his life, Joe remained deeply devoted to his faith and church communities. He grew up attending First Presbyterian Church in Staunton and later became an active member of Hebron Presbyterian Church, where he served as a deacon. He also faithfully served Bethel Presbyterian Church as both a deacon, elder and the Sunday School Superintendent for twenty years. He then became a member of Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church, where he served on the Christian Education Committee. Joe was actively involved in each church throughout his life.

Joe also served as the head of the Industrial Development Board for Augusta County for many years.

Outside of his professional and church life, Joe enjoyed fly fishing, raising trout, attending sporting events, cutting wood, gardening, and boating. Many lovingly knew him as “Papa Joe.”

He is survived by his beloved wife of over fifty-seven years, Rebecca Chapman Williams; his daughter, Lois Elizabeth Williams (Brett) his sons, Hazael Joseph Williams V (Amber) and William Chapman Williams (Kasey); his brother, James Gaston Blackford Williams; and his grandchildren, Hazael Joseph Williams VI, Anna Covington Williams, Carrington Diane Williams, and Alexander Chapman Williams.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, George Pugh Williams.

A funeral service will be conducted at 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church in Fishersville with burial to follow at Bethel Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Staunton. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall of Bethel Presbyterian Church immediately following the burial.

Active pallbearers will be Hazael Joseph Williams VI, Alexander Chapman Williams, William Sherard Chapman, Bowen Givens Chapman, Alan Craig Chapman, Jr., Frazier McKay Williams, Matthew Goss, and Keith Bosserman.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Horn, Ron Pharr, Bob Jordan, Bus Weller, Walter Ripley, William Crisp, Bobby Seaman, Stuart Moffett, Randy Tabb, Fred Wipple, Tal Day, and Dr. Bill Blaylock.

The family would like to thank Dr. Rob Marsh, Hospice of the Shenandoah, and their many employees for their time and dedication, as well as Tori Riccioni (and Tony), Michael Hughes, Jennifer Shiflet and Gail Mayer for their support during this time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Shenandoah (Augusta Health, P.O. Box 909, Fishersville, VA 22939, ATTN: Augusta Health Foundation) or Tinkling Springs Presbyterian Church (30 Tinkling Spring Drive, Fishersville, Virginia 22939)