Robert A. Williams

Robert "Bob" Allen Williams, age 79, passed away peacefully after a courageous journey with Multiple System Atrophy.

He was born to Bob and Fannie Williams on May 28, 1947, in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. During his grade school years, his family moved to Milford, Connecticut, where he grew up and graduated from Jonathan Law High School in 1965.

Following graduation, Bob joined the United States Navy where he received electronics training. He proudly served during the Vietnam War earning the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device. While in the Navy, Bob married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Sandy, beginning a marriage that would span nearly 59 wonderful years.

After completing his military service, Bob and Sandy returned to Milford, Connecticut. There he began building his family which would become the center of his world with the births of their two sons, Scott and Curt. The family later moved to Olathe, Kansas, where Bob helped to establish Aldersgate United Methodist Church and became a charter member.

After nine years in Kansas and two years in Pennsylvania, Bob and his family settled in Mentor, Ohio, where he spent 41 years building friendships, strengthening his faith, and becoming an active member of Mentor United Methodist Church.

Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, veteran, coach, and friend. He believed in hard work, providing for his family, and showing love not through grand speeches but through steady actions and unwavering presence. He was opinionated, quick with a joke, always ready for a good time, never passed up an opportunity to spend time with family and friends, and never met a dog that he didn’t love.

A lifelong sports enthusiast, Bob coached his sons' baseball and soccer teams, coached church softball, and enjoyed many years on the golf course. One of his proudest athletic achievements was his one and only hole-in-one on a par three, a story he enjoyed telling for years.

Of all his accomplishments, Bob was proudest of what he affectionately called "his boys." After school events and performances, he had a tradition that became legendary to family and friends alike. Once the applause had died down and the room had quieted, Bob would stand and proudly call out for all to hear, "Way to go, Butch!" or "Way to go, Buck!" It was his unmistakable way of making sure his sons knew how proud he was of them.

Bob also loved music, dancing, and making memories with those he loved most. He treasured his time with his country line dancing group and especially cherished dancing with Sandy to "Old Time Rock and Roll" at weddings. Those who knew Bob knew it wouldn't take much encouragement to get him onto the dance floor.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Sandy Williams; his sons, Scott Williams (Jamie) and Curt Williams (Mary); his grandchildren, Dustin Watkins (Sherrie), Melanie Martin-Ebel (Michael), Dylan Martin (Rachael), Cadence Watkins, Colton Watkins, Lily Martin-Williams, Julian Williams, and Nala Williams; and his great-grandchildren, Cassidy Aldrich (Ethan), Sophie Martin, Sage Watkins, Kaya Watkins, Finn Watkins, Piper Watkins, Wilhelmina Martin-Ebel, Jaxton Martin-Ebel, Ronan Martin-Ebel, and Cuallee Martin-Ebel.

Bob's greatest joy in life was the people with whom he shared it. Family meant everything to him, and the friendships he made throughout his life were treasures he carried with him always. We want to express our love and gratitude to our “family” at Governor’s Pointe and Miracle City Hospice for their infinite care and compassion.

If Bob could leave one final request for those who knew and loved him, it would not be to spend the day in sadness. Instead, he would want family and friends to gather, tell funny stories, share memories, laugh loudly, and celebrate the good times they shared together. Nothing would have made him happier than hearing a room full of people swapping stories, enjoying each other's company, and remembering a life that was lived fully and generously.

All are invited to attend A Celebration of Bob’s life which will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Mentor United Methodist Church, 8600 Mentor Avenue in Mentor, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Bob’s name to Mentor United Methodist Church or to the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization which supports veterans and their families. Donations may be made online to wwp.news or mailed to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.