Robert 'Bob' L. Williams

Bob passed away at 8:55 a.m. Thursday, February 07, 2013 in Prescott, AZ. Bob was a resident of Bloomington for the majority of his life until he and his wife Vicky made the move to Arizona in 2008, as they’d been talking about doing for so many years. His wife Vicky and daughter Edie were lovingly at his side to the end of his life’s journey. He was 82 years old. Bob was born on March 1, 1930 in Bloomington, IL, the son of Claude E. and Edith (Dunlap) Williams. He married Dolores (Matthews) Williams in 1950 and then married Vicky L. (Breedlove) Williams in 1983. Surviving are his wife Vicky L. Williams, Prescott Valley, AZ, two sons, Cal (Bonnie) Williams, Hopedale, and Terry (Vicki) Williams, Clifton, CO; one daughter Edie (Greg) Gummere, Meridian, ID; one stepson Lee (Victoria) Kinder, Naperville; eight grandchildren, one great grandchild; and his last living brother, James E. Williams, Chino Valley, AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, and his ex-wife. Bob was in the Marines until his honorable discharge as a Sergeant in February, 1951. He made his career that of a firefighter with the Bloomington Fire Department and retired after 26 years of service. He was the department’s first training officer and was promoted to Assistant Chief. He imparted his love of firefighting and his knowledge to any and all new firefighters who were willing to learn. He loved to fish and “hog” catfish from the local rivers. He and his brother Wayne did woodworking together for 10 years after they had both retired. Bob was a beloved brother, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. His life was well lived and all of us who were blessed to know and love him, and be loved by him in return are better people for knowing him.

Service:
Cremation rights have been accorded. There will be no memorial service. At a later date his ashes will be dispersed into the blowing winds of Arizona, where he spent his last years enjoying the plentiful sunshine and blue skies.