We deeply regret to report the death of our colleague and friend Paul D. Williams, a writer whose reviews graced the pages of the N&O during its glory days of cultural reporting and then at CVNC, starting in early 2007. He will be missed by his fellow critics and the artists and groups that benefited from his invariably gentle encouragements.

His bio as published in CVNC is here, followed by his archived reviews.

There follows the formal obituary being published in the N&O later today. Please note the service will be held tomorrow (March 17) at 11 a.m. at Hayes Barton Baptist Church, with visitation at the church starting at 10 a.m.

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Obituary for Paul Dewart Williams

Paul Dewart Williams of Raleigh, beloved husband, brother, father and grandfather, passed away on March 15, 2016. Paul is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years, Wanda H. Williams, and by his sister Hazel Shires of Forest City, NC.

Paul is survived by his son Mark D. Williams, and wife Yvette, of Greensboro, by his daughter Paula Allison and husband Randy, of Willow Spring, and by his son Kent H. Williams and wife Sharon, of Raleigh. He is also survived by grandchildren Joshua, Zachary, and Hunter Williams of Greensboro, Taylor and Stephanie Allison of Willow Spring, and Hannah Williams of Raleigh.

He was married to Wanda, the “love of his life,” on July 31, 1954, and raised three children in Atlanta and Raleigh.

Paul was born on October 25, 1929, in McDowell County, North Carolina. He was educated at Gardner Webb University and Furman University and earned an advanced degree from Auburn University. He enjoyed a long career working at Lockheed Corporation and IBM Corporation. He also taught math and computer science at Georgia Tech University, Georgia State University and Shaw University. Some of his most fulfilling education work was done in the prison system of North Carolina.

Paul was a member of Hayes Barton Baptist Church and sang in the choir and taught Sunday School there. He was a music writer for The News and Observer and Classical Voice of NC (cvnc.org). He also served on the board of the Resources for Seniors organization in Raleigh.

Funeral services will be held at Hayes Barton Baptist Church, 1800 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC, at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 17, 2016. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on the same day.