Robert “Big Bob” Gale Williams (1933-2009)

WILLIAMS, CORNELIUS, HALL, LYSNE, WIRTH, COOK, STRASSBURGER

Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 10/20/2009 at 23:22:16

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Tuesday, October 20, 2009.

Robert “Big Bob” Gale Williams, 76, loving husband, father and friend, passed away Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009, at his Ames home with his family at his side. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at Memorial Lutheran Church, 701 11th St., in Nevada, with Pastor David Burling officiating.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at Memorial Lutheran Church in Nevada.

Robert “Big Bob” Gale Williams was born Oct. 7, 1933, to Alonzo D. and Emma P. (Cornelius) Williams, in Milford Township in Nevada, where he also attended school. He attended Simpson College, where he played football, before returning home to farm with his father and his son, Robin, until he retired. On March 8, 1953, he married Regina Mae Hall at Central Presbyterian Church in Nevada.

He was a lifetime member of the Story County Fair Association, where he served as a volunteer on the fair board for 45 years and spent 24 years as president. He enriched the lives of many 4-H’ers throughout his lifetime. In 2004, an anonymous donation was made to the Story County Fair Association with the express purpose of building a new barn that was named The Bob Williams Arena in his honor. In 2009, he was named Cattleman of the Year by the Story County Cattleman’s Association. He also was a member of the Arcadia Masonic Lodge 249 in Ames for 55 years, the Nevada Jaycees and the Nevada Cyclone Booster Club, and served on the board at Union Story Bank in Ames.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Regina, of Ames; his son, Robin (Lou Ann), of Nevada, and their children, Sara, Eric (Amanda), Jenney, Jami, Jeremy, Johnny, Jimmy and their families; son, Brad (Jane), of Nevada, and his children, Jason (Lisa), Andrew and Madeline; daughter, Renee (Kevin) Lysne, of Nevada, and their children, Taylor and Robert; and daughter, Shelley Wirth, of Gilbert, and her children, Lacey (Scott), Ashley (Victor), Cody (Caitlyn) and Tyler. He is also survived by many great- grandchildren, nieces and nephews, as well as his sisters, Blanche Cook, of Mountainview, Mo., and Arlene Strassburger, of Lexington, Ky. He also wanted to acknowledge Lou Ann, his daughter-in-law, and Monica Williams, his former daughter-in-law, as two people who held a special place in his heart. He never met a stranger and was a friend to all he met. He is survived by many extraordinary friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister, Darlene.

A memorial fund has been established in Bob’s name.

Chet Ryan Mortuary in Nevada is in charge of arrangements.

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