Robert D. Williams, Sr.

Robert D. "Bob" Williams, Sr., 83, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 20, at his residence.


Born November 17, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois, he was the son of Wilford Otis and Esther Pfifer Williams Bouleware. As a child, he lived in the Levi Coffin House and years later served as President of the Levi Coffin House Association. He was a 1944 graduate of Fountain City High School and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on June 7, 1944. He was stationed in the Pacific Theatre for the duration of World War Two and participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima. He returned home with an honorable discharge in 1946 and married the former Phyllis McIntyre in 1947, raising 1 son and 3 daughters. He was a long time Marathon Oil distributor before retiring in 1990. His family was his top priority and he was a faithful member of the Northside Church of Christ in Richmond.


Mr. Williams will be missed by his wife, Phyllis Williams, Fountain City; his son and daughter-in-law, Robert D. "Bob" Jr. and Cathy Williams, Richmond; 3 daughters and sons-in-law, Rev. Dr. Nancy and Harry Nelson, Richmond; Judi and Rev. Dick Smelser, Knoxville, Tennessee and Rev. Mary Ann and Gary Randolph, Anderson; 16 grandchildren, Carri Evans (Eric), Mike Arnett (Mary Beth), Melissa Smith, Amy Charles (Todd), April Bakken (Ryan), Kiersten Aubre-Howard (Denny), Sarah Plake, Rob Wood, Ryan Wood, Carol Crowe (Kevin), Richard Nelson (Carrie), April Smith (Bryan), Todd Smelser, Brendan Smelser, Brooke Randolph and Daniel Randolph; 26 great-grandchildren; his sister, Phyllis Kenworthy, Greenfield; his aunt, Betty Williams, Indianapolis, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.


Mr. Williams was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Charles Williams.


A funeral ceremony will be conducted by Rev. Mary Ann Randolph and Rev. Dick Smelser at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 25, at the Smith & McQuiston Funeral Home, 321 US 27 South, Fountain City. Interment will follow in Willow Grove Cemetery, with military honors conducted by the Wayne County Honor Guard.


Family and friends may gather for visitation from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24, at the funeral home.


Memorial contributions may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 780, New York, NY 10008-0780.