Robert Bob WILLIAMS

18 OCT 1931 - 23 JUL 2012

• BIRTH: 18 OCT 1931, Klamath Falls, Klamath County, OR
• DEATH: 23 JUL 2012, South Bend, St Joseph, IN

INDEX

[N26344] Robert J Williams

Birth 18 Oct 1931
Klamath Falls, Klamath County, OR

Death 23 Jul 2012 (aged 80)
Indiana, USA

Burial
Saint Joseph Cemetery
South Bend, St. Joseph County, IN
Memorial ID 94161912

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Robert J. Williams
Oct. 18, 1931 - July 23, 2012

SOUTH BEND - Robert J. Williams, 80, was born into eternal life on July 23, 2012. He was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon, to Charles and Clementine Williams on October 18, 1931. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, who shared in 59 beautiful years of marriage. God blessed them with six loving children, Patrick (Susan) of Vandalia, MI, Diane (Daniel) Kreager of South Bend, James (Janet) of Mishawaka, Michael (Barbara) of Granger, Maria and Bobby (Elizabeth), both of Mishawaka. One of the great joys of his life was spending time with his twenty wonderful grandchildren, Joseph, Matthew, Lindsay, Ryan, Lauren, Stephanie, Jason, Eric, Emily, Andrew, Francis, Melanie, Nicholas, Katherine, Elinor, Jessica, Grace, Charles, Brian and Lucia. He also enjoyed his great-grandchildren, Margaret, Edwin, Clark, Michael, James, Arden, Miles and Evolette. Robert was a 1954 graduate of the University of Notre Dame. He was proud to be a member of the Irish basketball team. He was a lifelong fan of Notre Dame sports and Chicago Cubs baseball. Upon graduating from college, he was appointed vice president of the Layne-Northern Company. In 1973 he co-founded Peerless-Midwest, Inc., which provides water supply contracting and hydro-geologic services in Indiana and Michigan. He served as president of the company until his retirement in 1988. He was a member of the American Water Works Association and the National Fire Protection Association. Robert gave generously of his time as a member of the St. Joseph County Parks Association, establishing St. Pat's and Baugo Creek Park. He was a member of the Sorin Society at Notre Dame and the Notre Dame Alumni Club of Naples, Florida. After retirement, Robert was a proud board member of the Women's Care Center Foundation. Robert enjoyed several summers fishing in Wyoming with his sons, sons-in-law and grandsons. He loved the West and he and his wife enjoyed vacations at Lake Tahoe, which Robert said was the most beautiful place in the world. After many winters spent in Maui, he and MaryAnn purchased a winter home in Bonita Springs, Florida. They spent their summers at their beloved cottage on Magician Lake. His family was the joy of his life and he loved family gatherings most of all. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was a kind, generous and humble man. He was a devout Catholic and daily communicant. Robert was preceded in death by his parents and his brother John. He is survived by his sisters, Rosemary (Frank) Toepp, Carole (George) Trusk, Susan Taylor, and his sister-in-law, Marilyn Williams. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 pm Thursday, July 26, 2012, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, where a parish vigil service will be held at 6 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 am Friday, July 27, 2012, in St. Monica Catholic Church, Mishawaka, where friends may visit for one hour prior to the Mass. Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, South Bend. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Women's Care Center Foundation at 360 N. Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, to further Robert's passion to support crisis pregnancy centers. To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com. Published in South Bend Tribune on July 25, 2012