Robert Dean (Bob) Williams

Robert (Bob) was born in Coolidge, Kansas to Aaron Robert Williams and Dema Faye Wright Williams on November 20, 1932. He was the eldest of six children. He passed away peacefully at home, Friday evening, April 25, 2014, after a short illness, with his wife and daughter by his side.

His early years were spent on the family dairy farm in Lamar, Colorado. After graduation from high school, Bob joined the U.S. Marine Corp where he served four years during the Korean War. Following his discharge from the Marines he earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Lamar Junior College and Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Bob returned to Lamar where he opened the first pizza restaurant in southeast Colorado. During that time he met Kathryn Sisco and following their marriage in June, 1961, they moved to Farmington, New Mexico, where Bob managed the Sears Catalog Store. Subsequent moves with Sears took them to Cortez, Colorado, then to Sidney, Nebraska. During those years their son, Jamie Lee, and daughter, Leah Janine, were born.

A job change to Montgomery Ward took the young family to St. Louis, Missouri, and it was during those years that Bob decided to enter the teaching profession. He earned a Master of Science Degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois and began teaching science and environmental education in the area schools.

In 1977, the family moved to Zambia, Africa to teach in Namwianga Christian Secondary School and to serve as missionaries to neighboring villages. Health issues necessitated returning to the U.S. in December, 1978, settling once again in Bob's home town of Lamar, Colorado where they resided for the next thirty years. Bob taught science and directed science fairs for the schools in that area. After taking early retirement from public schools, he began teaching biology and medical terminology for Lamar Community College and continued there for fifteen years.

Bob has been a faithful member of the Church of Christ since 1962. While living in Lamar, Bob served as deacon then as elder for the Church of Christ and taught Bible classes for many years; delivering sermons frequently; and leading singing on many occasions. He also had the oversight of missionaries in South Africa and was privileged to visit the work there on two different occasions.

After his second retirement from the teaching profession, Bob and Kathy moved to Northwest Georgia to live closer to daughter, Leah, whose home is in Atlanta. For the first time Bob had the woodworking shop of his dreams and spent many hours on projects. He also had a small acreage to "play" on, planting gardens and shrubs.

An avid reader since his early childhood, he was often accused of reading the cereal boxes if nothing else was available. Books were always his favorite birthday and Christmas gifts.

A member of the Cedartown Church of Christ since 2008, he taught Bible classes; delivered sermons and devotional messages on occasion, and, when needed, led the congregational singing.

Bob was preceded in death by his seventeen year old son, Jamie Lee; his father, Aaron; mother, Dema; an infant brother, Ronald Wayne; and sister, Lois Janice Williams.

He is survived by his wife, Kathryn (Kathy) of 53 years; his daughter, Leah Williams; brothers, Carroll of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and Curtis (Linda) of Grass Valley, California; sister, Janet (Jim) Miller of Kearney, Nebraska; two brothers-in-law, Charles Sisco of Panama, Oklahoma, and Kenneth (Linda) Sisco, of Shady Point, Oklahoma; twenty-nine nieces and nephews; fifty-one great nieces and nephews; and sixteen great-great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by a number of "borrowed grandchildren;" one uncle, Leonard (Harriet) Williams; and many cousins; and a host of friends, including one “Honorary Daughter,” Debbie Parrott of Atlanta.

Local funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. in the Cedartown Church of Christ with Ministers Ed Lee , Steven Cordle and James Nelson officiating.

Mr. Williams will lie instate at the Cedartown Church of Christ from 10 a.m. until the funeral hour Tuesday.

The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Alvis Miller & Son Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will include: Greg Carter, Nick Delaro, Ricky Mathis, Karl Nebel, Terry Sensing, Don Tanner, Mike Worthington and Sanford Clark. Honorary pallbearers will include: Kyle Tanner, Larry Bentley and Doug Aaron.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorial gifts be made to Zambia Missions Childrens Home by visiting https://zambiamission.org/how-to-give/orphan-care/.

Mr. Williams family will receive friends at the Peacock Funeral Home in Lamar, Colorado on Friday, May 2nd with a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 3rd in the Lamar Church of Christ.

Interment will follow in Fairmount Cemetary, Lamar, Colorado on Saturday, May 3, 2014.

The Alvis Miller & Son Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.