Grace “Gracie” Seward Wills, age 88, of West Point, Virginia, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2024. Gloria Grace Seward was born at her home October 9, 1935 on her family’s farm in King and Queen Courthouse, Virginia.
Grace, who was known for her zest for life and bubbly personality, was adored by her entire family whom she loved immeasurably. She so loved her friends as well , but always enjoyed meeting new people and indeed epitomized the familiar saying “she never met a stranger.” She loved to dance and often times was the first on the dance floor with her favorite partner, her husband Billy. She is warmly remembered to “always have a smile on her face” and to have a contagious laugh. She welcomed a good joke or a funny story. Grace was also known for making her delicious homemade meals for family, friends and those in need. Many people enjoyed her homemade bread, country ham biscuits, pecan pie & legendary “Nana’s Chocolate Chip Cookies.” One of her nicknames was “the Bread Lady” given to her by friends and another one was “the Chocolate Chip Cookie Lady” which was given to her by her grandchildren.
She is survived by her loving spouse and high school “sweetheart,” Mr. William E. “Billy” Wills, Sr., her children; Mr. William “W.E.” Wills, Jr. (Mrs. Rachel D. Wills), Mrs. Robin Wills Williams (Dr. Jon Williams, Jr.) and Dr. Douglas Wills (Dr. Suzänne Zeta); ten beloved grandchildren; Ben Wills (Meghan),Jordan Wills Sligh (Wesley), Winston Williams (Alisha), Garrett Williams, Kathleen Grace Williams Speidel (Chapin), Alex Wills, Justin Benkovsky (Meshva), Camden Benkovsky, Griffin Benkovsky, Bronson Benkovsky and five great-grandchildren; William Sligh, Virginia Grace Sligh, Lillian Sligh, Kate Wills and Jane Wills; and many nieces and nephews. Grace was preceded in death by her parents, Wilton W. and Polly C. Seward, and nine siblings, often calling herself “the baby of ten children.” Her siblings were Seden Seward, Welford Seward, Charlie Seward, Gladys S. Krevonick, Louise S. Williams, Bernard Seward, Thelma S. Gatewood, Roland Seward and Joseph Seward.
Grace worked as a C&P telephone switchboard operator in the 1950’s (a job she greatly enjoyed) and later sold Avon products for many years. She worked for over thirty years in her husband’s insurance agency, where she became a licensed agent. However, her most cherished role was that of a devoted wife, loving mother (as well as grandmother) and admirable homemaker.
In her younger years, she attended Mattaponi Baptist Church , where she and her husband were married almost seventy years ago on October 23, 1954. She later became a dedicated member of First Baptist Church, West Point, graciously serving God in many ways and singing in the church choir for over 50 years.
Grace’s hobbies included playing the piano by ear, singing, and acting. She was a member of the musical group, the Enthusiastics, as well as the West Point Theatrical Group, participating in numerous musicals and plays over the years. She also enjoyed traveling and was able to visit many places around the world. Her spouse (her favorite traveling partner and lifelong soulmate) fondly said when they went on a cruise, she would “know everybody on the ship by the time the cruise ended.” Her faithful love for God, her heartfelt love for all people and the sincere kindness that she showed others will be her lasting legacy.
Rest in Peace Amazing Grace!
A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 31, 2024 at Vincent’s Funeral Home, West Point, Virginia.
A memorial service to celebrate Grace’s life will be held at First Baptist Church in West Point, Virginia, on June 1, 2024, at 10 a.m. with a reception to follow in the church fellowship hall.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of Grace Seward Wills.
