Robert "Bob" J. Williams

We celebrate the life of Robert John (Bob) Williams who passed peacefully on March 4, 2015 at Presence Cor Mariae Center in Rockford, Illinois after battling advanced Parkinson’s disease for several years. Bob was born on May 26, 1927 the eldest son of John Wesley and Sarah Elizabeth (nee Nichols) Williams of Rockford, IL. At the time of his passing, he was 87 years young.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Barbara Joyce (nee Barrett); his brother Donald Williams of Rockford, IL; sister-in-law Francis Ziemendorf of Pittsville, WI; children, Terry Lee Williams (Marilynn) of Mesa, AZ and Gerald Wesley Williams (Laraine) of Rockford, IL; and son-in-law, Peter Keith of Roscoe, IL; granddaughters Valorie (Dino) Corsolini of North Prairie, WI, Amy (Rob) Jacobson of Roscoe, IL, and Erin Ashleigh (Don) Smith, of Hohenwald, KY; grandsons Matthew Williams and Corey Williams of Lakewood, CO ; great-granddaughter Maggie Jacobson; and great-grandson Douglas Smith. Bob is predeceased by his parents, brothers Marvin and Jack Williams, and beloved daughter Verna Jean Keith.

He has now joined these family members and all the other saints that have gone before.

Bob, a lifelong resident of Rockford, attended Rock River Elementary School and Rockford East High School, graduating in 1945. GO E-RABS! He joined the United States Army after high school and trained to participate in World War II at Camp Grant and Ft Lewis, WA. He was sent to the East coast to await deployment to Europe, but the war ended prior to his departure. Following military service, he worked for several years at J.L. Clark Mfg. participating in softball and bowling. In 1952 he obtained employment with Camcar, a division of Textron Inc., retiring June 30, 1989 after 37 years. While at Camcar, he also enjoyed softball and bowling. Regularly rolling scores in the 200’s.

Throughout his life he loved fishing. In his early years, Bob often took the family to Lake Delavan or Lake Pardeeville in Wisconsin or even down to the Kishwaukee River. Later, he enjoyed fishing vacations in the U.S. and Canada accompanied by brother’s Marvin, Jack and Don and, of course, his fishing buddies. He was also an avid baseball fan and followed the Chicago White Sox faithfully all his life. He often spent time watching other baseball teams on TV while listening to the White Sox on the radio. After retiring, he participated regularly in the Rockford YMCA Men’s Group. Bob especially loved the Christmas Season and often worked at the tree lot making wreaths and selling trees for the Y’s-Men. He enjoyed playing Cribbage and played Pitch weekly over 30 years, playing regularly with his brothers, sons, and an assembly of friends… including Pat Dodge, Jim McCarten, Ralph Reum, Claude Cowan, Bill and Jerry Springs, Bob Peterson, Paul and Chuck Johnson, Bob, Roy and Carl Peterson, Joe Robb, Gale Schoenweiss to name a few. Over 70+ men played in this card game over the years.

Bob and Barb were active in several Rockford churches over the years. First at Bethlehem Lutheran on Brooke Road where he met and married Barb,, and served as a Scout leader for Boy Scout Troop 40. Then at the Bethlehem Lutheran 20th Street location, where he was elected to several Church Councils and served as the church’s Treasurer for many years. Most recently they attended Brooke Road United Methodist Church. Bob, a devout Christian, believed in the stewardship of time and treasures and he practiced this devotion by volunteering often and giving regularly.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday March 11, 2015, at Brooke Road United Methodist Church, 1404 Brooke Road, Rockford, IL. A light luncheon will be available immediately following the service. Interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations to be presented to Rockford Area Parkinson Support Group.