William Benjamin Beverly Childs, the fifth of six children born to the late Percy Hampton and Sallie Perry Beverly Childs, was born on June 17, 1932 in the DeJarnette community of Caroline County, Virginia. Greeting him at his birth, along with Catherine, Gwen, Edith and Hamp, were two other very special siblings; Pedro and Sylvia Marie Cabeza. Following a lengthy illness, he bid farewell to his earthly life on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 5:25 A.M. at Mary Washington Hospital, Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Affectionately known to some as Bill, Wild Bill or Billy the Kid, he was educated in the Caroline County Public Schools and graduated from Union High School in Bowling Green, Virginia in 1950. William joined St. James Baptist Church at an early age and was baptized by Dr. E.L.R. Guss. A lifelong active and faithful member, he sang on several choirs, was a member and past secretary of the Men's Club and was an usher. For many years he drove the church van and safeguarded it by keeping it at his home.

He married Shirley T. Gordon on September 16,1961. To this union was born one son, Silvester Madison Childs.

William was one who sacrificed himself for family instead of furthering his education, he enlisted into the military service to provide income for his parents and siblings, Kenneth "Pete" and Edith. He was a Korean War Veteran serving in the U.S. Army. After the war officially ended, he traveled with the Army Baseball team in Japan before returning to the states. He was honorably discharged on April 22, 1954.

He enjoyed a career in the Federal Government and retired from Marine Corp Base in Quantico, Virginia in July, 1989 with more than 30 years of combined federal service. After retirement he also worked for several seasons at Kings Dominion.

William was an avid gardener and sportsman. he loved to fish and hunt rabbits,squirrels, birds and turkeys. He often joked about having to feed and care for his "children" i.e. his hunting dogs. Spring, summer and fall found him caring for well-manicured lawns. He was the vineyard keeper making sure that the grape vines were pruned. He shared produce from his garden and fruit trees with family and the neighborhood. In addition, he found time to do a weekly "trash" run through the community then to the dump. A barber with barbering toolbox he would travel as needed whether to someone's home, hospital or to a nursing home. He was very special to his family and friends and made new friends wherever he went.

He was preceded in death by his son, Silvester, sisters Gwen and Edith and brother, Kenneth; sister-in-law, Marian Childs;brother-in-law Floyd Bates and a very special nephew Calvin also known as "Ludie".

Leaving to Cherish his memory are his loving and devoted son, Orlando Washington, Sr. (Sharon), grandchildren; Krystal and Orlando, Jr.;great-grandchildren; Jaleiyah and Jelani, all of Milford, Virginia, two sisters; Catherine Bates of Woodford, Virginia and Sylvia Marie Hoggard of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; two brothers; Percy H. Childs, Jr. of Woodford, Virginia and Pedro Cabeza (Catherine) of Baltimore, Maryland; a special friend, Doris Johnson and many other nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

A viewing will be held from 12:00 Noon to 8 P.M. on Monday, April 11, 2016 at C.W. Edwards Funeral Home, 16476 Richmond Turnpike, Bowling Green, Virginia 22427 with family receiving friends from 7:00 to 8 p.m. and hour hour before the service at the church on Tuesday.

Funeral services will be held on at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at St. James Baptist Church 19514 Sparta Road, Milford, Virginia 22514. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.