Robert O. Williams Jr.

Robert O. (R.O.) Williams, Jr. passed away after a brief illness on January 31, 2025 at his home in Austin, Texas. His was a life well-lived. He was truly an amazing husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, Christian and friend. He was always ready to help others through his time, friendship and gifts. He taught his family how to love, give freely of their time and resources and enjoy life to the fullest.

R.O. was born on March 27, 1933 in Beaumont, Texas to the late Helen Swain and Robert O. Williams, Sr. He graduated from South Park High School in 1950 and maintained his many high school friendships throughout his life. He met the love of his life, Patsy Ruth Mayberry, in high school. They were married in Beaumont in 1953 and enjoyed 62 happy years before her death in 2016. R.O. and Patsy moved to Austin as newlyweds so R.O. could attend the University of Texas. He graduated with a BBA in Business in 1955. At UT, he was in the Longhorn Band and continued his participation in the Alumni band for over 60 years. He was also a proud member of Theta Xi fraternity where he held many leadership positions. R.O. loved Texas sports and had a tradition of attending the Texas-Oklahoma game for years.

After graduation, R.O. and Patsy returned to Beaumont and started a family. They welcomed their son, Robert O. Williams III (Bill) in 1956 and Suzanne in 1960. He was a loving and devoted father who never missed one of his children’s events whether it be a game, horse show, musical or dance recital. They were an active family who loved to travel, camp and have fun together. R.O. established a tradition of frequent family get togethers at the beach or in the mountains of Colorado that has endured. The family especially loved Crystal Beach and had a home on the Bolivar Peninsula for decades until it was destroyed by Hurricane Ike. Countless memories were made at that home where they hosted their children’s friends and their families. Patsy and R.O. loved to travel internationally as well. Their favorite places were the Holy Land, Austria and Switzerland. After Patsy’s death, R.O. continued to travel well into his 80’s including to one of his other favorite places, Reno.

People energized R.O. and over 42 years, he built many relationships through his business, R. O. Williams Fire and Casualty Insurance. He also developed a premium finance company, Republic Payment Plan, in 1976, and maintained it until 2018. In addition to R.O.’s professional career, he was a dedicated volunteer in his church and community. He was a member of the Rotary Club for over 50 years and served on an extensive list of boards. He and Patsy were active members of Trinity United Methodist Church in Beaumont, Texas until their move to Austin in 2014. He served extensively at the local, district and conference levels of the United Methodist Church, including as Lay Leader. He trained as a Stephen Minister and loved singing in his church choirs his entire life. In 1968, he was the founding Layperson to start the nonprofit, SOME OTHER PLACE MISSION, in Beaumont to meet the unfulfilled needs of the poor and underserved. Today, it continues to serve thousands through its various programs and opportunities for those facing life’s challenges.

When Patsy and R.O. moved to Austin, they joined Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church. He made countless new friends in Austin while volunteering at his church and the Ronald McDonald House. After Patsy’s death, he established and helped maintain the Esplanade Garden in front of the sanctuary in her memory. He especially loved his time as a member of the choir and the Monday Night Life Group.

R.O.’s greatest source of pride was his family. As he loved to tell everyone, “When you have 3 hours, I will tell you about my 4 grandchildren and their mates and then give my dissertation about our 2 most precious gifts, Bill and Suzanne.” His love for his family was immeasurable. He instilled in them an incredible work ethic and legacy of giving back. Bill and Suzanne have both made careers of serving others; Bill as a professor at UT Austin and Suzanne as an educator and administrator at Shelton School. R.O. considered Bill’s wife, Jill, to be a second daughter and Suzanne’s husband, Gary, a second son. They adored him.

He loved spending time with his grandsons and their wives, Taylor and Amanda and Brett and Sarah. He was thrilled when Taylor was able to pursue his passion for baseball on the Texas Longhorn baseball team and was equally delighted by his successful real estate career. In 2023, Taylor and Amanda gave him a precious great grandson, Walker who he absolutely delighted in spending time with. He was looking forward to Taylor and Amanda welcoming their second son in June. R.O. was tremendously proud of Brett’s distinguished career as a Captain in the Air Force piloting F-15 fighter jets and always took the opportunity to visit him both at the Air Force Academy and at his base locations including England. He doted on his granddaughters as well and was proud they were both pursuing careers in medicine; Maddi as a nurse practitioner and Rory as a rising medical student. He was excited that Maddi and her husband, Chris, are welcoming their first child in April. R.O. and Patsy traveled the USA watching their grandchildren play volleyball and baseball.

In addition to his children, daughter-in-law, grandchildren and their spouses, R.O. is survived by many favorite nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law and many loving extended family members. He was preceded in death by his cherished wife, Patsy, his two sisters, Blanche Williams Meyer and Billie Ruth Williams Keesee and his beloved son-in-law, Gary.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to R.O.’s angels on earth, Maria, Annie and Michellei. They would also like to thank the community of Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church for their never-ending support, care and friendship along with the Rotary Club of Austin, Westlake, the Monday Night Life Group and the Chancel Choir, Sarah Ray, CNS and Dr. Javier Otero.

A visitation and memorial service will be held at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church, 7127 Bee Caves Road, Austin, Texas beginning at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 15th with the Celebration of Life at 1:00 p.m. followed by the burial at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in R.O.’s memory may be made online or by mail to the Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church in Austin, to Some Other Place, 590 Center Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701, or to a charity of your choice.