Robert Lawrence Williams

Robert Lawrence Williams, 90, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 7, 2021, in Winston-Salem, NC.  He was born in Chicago, IL on November 19, 1930. He was the son of the late Daniel Lawrence Williams and Dorothy Elson Williams. Bob was a US Navy Veteran of the Korean Conflict. He enlisted in November of 1948 at the age of 18.  He served aboard the USS Coral Sea CVB43, the USS Silversides 55236, and the USS Markab AD 21. He was awarded the Navy Occupation Service Medal with Europe Clasp and the National Defense Service Medal-United Nations Medal.

While on leave in Texas on March 9, 1952, he met the love of his life, Patsy Anne Gunn, on a blind date. They began a long- distance relationship consisting of letters & calls from pay phones whenever he was ashore. Upon his discharge from the Navy in 1953, Bob moved to Nederland, Texas to be near Pat. In November 1955 they married and were married 62 years at the time of Pat’s death in 2018. They moved to Port Neches and in 1961 they welcomed their only child, their beloved daughter and namesake, Robianne.

Bob worked for 38 years at Neches Butane Products Company and retired from there in 1993.  He was Past President of the Neches Butane Retirees Club.  Bob was a member of First Baptist Church, Port Neches for many years. He enjoyed many hobbies including hunting, fishing, and camping and after retirement he found a new passion in research of his genealogy. He traced his and Pat’s family back many generations.

One of the most meaningful parts of Bob’s life was being a Mason, Shriner, and Shrine Clown.

He was a 50+ year member of the Port Neches Lodge and Chapter, and the Beaumont Commandry #38 Knights Templar. He was a member of El Mina Shrine Temple of Galveston, Texas and an Associate member of Oasis Shrine Temple of Charlotte, North Carolina.

He was also Past President and Past Secretary of the Nem Loof Shrine clowns. He helped raise thousands and thousands of dollars for the Shriners Hospitals for Children-Texas.

In 2004 Bob & Pat moved to Winston-Salem to be near Robi and her family. They were members of Clemmons First Baptist Church. They loved living in North Carolina and had many wonderful years of grandparenting.

In addition to his parents and wife Bob was preceded in death by his brother, Skip Weil and his sister, Patti Cline.  He is survived by his daughter, Robi Williams Brath and her husband, Peter of Winston-Salem; his grandson, Will Brath of Winton-Salem; his granddaughter, Katy Brath and her fiancé Ruan Botelho of Matthews, NC; and his nephew, Tom Cline of Algonquin, IL.

Funeral services will be held at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at 12:00 pm with a reception to follow at the funeral home. Rev. Paul A. Wollner of Augsburg Lutheran Church will officiate.  Interment will be in Port Neches, Texas at a later date.

Bob’s family would like to thank Heritage Woods staff of Independent Living and Assisted Living and Trellis Supportive Care for their love and care. If desired, donations may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children-Texas, www.shrinerschildrens.org.  If you would like to mail a donation please send to: Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Processing Center, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394.