William Christian Trimmer, Sr., "Willie", 83, of Richmond, passed away peacefully on the morning of January 7, 2007. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 63 years, Grace D. Trimmer; his children, Carolyn E. Trimmer, Brenda Trimmer Savage, and William C. Trimmer, Jr.; and his four grandchildren, Rachel Savage Loving, Brent Christian Trimmer, William Cameron Trimmer, and Kirsten Elisabeth Trimmer. He is also survived by his sister, Madeline Trimmer Hughes and her husband, Lynn A. Hughes. The family wants to thank his longtime devoted nurse, Maris Spence and also Hospice of Virginia.

Mr. Trimmer was a longtime member of Tabernacle Baptist Church and a current member of Second Baptist Church. Mr. Trimmer was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served during World War II from 1942 to 1945. After World War II, he returned to Richmond and completed his bricklayer's apprenticeship, eventually forming his bricklayer/homebuilding company, W. C. Trimmer, Inc. and a rental property management company, Grace Corp., named after his wife. Mr. Trimmer was president of the Home Builder's Association of Richmond in 1963-1964, a national honorary director/life member of the National Association of Homebuilders, a member of the Hall of Fame of the Home Builders Association of Richmond, president of West Richmond Businessmen's Association from 1973-74, and president of the West Central Optimist Club from 1976-77. He was a longtime member of Richmond Lodge No. 10, AF&AM, and a 32nd degree Mason in the Richmond Scottish Rite Temple, and a 50-year member of the ACCA Temple Shrine, and ACCA Arab Patrol, in which he was honored as Patrolman of the Year.

Mr. Trimmer was devoted to his family and friends. He enjoyed playing friendly games of cards every week at the Westwood Club. He loved spending time at the family home (Few Acres) on the Rappahannock River, where he delighted in taking his wife, children, and grandchildren fishing or just sitting in his swing watching the river.

Remains rest at the Central Chapel of the Bennett Funeral Home, 3215 Cutshaw Ave., where the family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 pm Tuesday, with a 7 pm Masonic service. Funeral services will be conducted 11 am Wednesday at the funeral home, with interment in Westhampton Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ACCA Temple transportation Fund, P.O. Box 921, Richmond VA 23227, or charity of choice.