Robert Marshall Williams, Jr

ROBERT MARSHALL WILLIAMS, JR. Robert Marshall Williams, Jr., of Wilmington, NC, died on September 22, 2012, at home. He was born in Wilmington on January 21, 1927, the son of the late Robert Marshall Williams and Amanda Parsley Williams. He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Elizabeth Whitehead Taylor Williams, and his sister, Mary Parsley Williams Lyell. Surviving are his daughter, Elizabeth Williams Thompson and her husband, Ralph Culmer Thompson II of Springfield, VA; a son, Robert Marshall Williams, III, of Wilmington; a son, William Arthur Williams and his wife, Nora Tolar Williams of Garner; and four grandchildren, David Grant Thompson, Amanda Reed Thompson, Anne Christian Williams, and Robert Marshall Williams, IV. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Helen Taylor Wolfe and her husband, Thomas Wolfe, of Wilmington, and his brother-in-law, John Faison Taylor, of Winnabow. Mr. Williams was a lifelong and fifth generation member of St. James Parish where he served two terms as a member of the Vestry. He was a member of the North Carolina Society of the Cincinnati, and a lifelong member of the Cape Fear Country Club where he served as President for two terms. He was a lifelong member of the Carolina Yacht Club, a lifelong member and past President of the L'Arioso German Club, and a member of The Surf Club. Mr. Williams attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY, until he was called to active duty in World War II to serve as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. After serving in the Philippine Islands, he returned to attend North Carolina State College in Raleigh. He was recalled to active, overseas duty in Berlin, Germany, as a First Lieutenant for two years in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean War. He returned to North Carolina State College and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. Mr. Williams practiced as a Professional Engineer for nearly fifty years. He was an active aircraft pilot for 35 years and was involved in the design of many airport projects in Southeastern United States and in East Africa. His distinguished military career ended with his retirement as Commander, United States Coast Guard Reserve, after 32 years of active and inactive duty in the military services. He was a devoted husband, father, brother and grandfather and had many beloved friends acquired during his lifetime as a golfer, hunter, boatman and fisherman. A funeral service will be held at 11am, Saturday, September 29, 2012, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 16 N. 16th Street, with the reception immediately following at the Great Hall of St. James Parish. Memorials may be made to St. James Parish, 25 S Third Street, Wilmington, NC 28401; Trinity Center, P.O. Drawer 380, Salter Path, NC 28575; or Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.