Robert “Bob” Warren Williams

Robert “Bob” Warren Williams, 74, of Benton City died at Avalon Health and Rehabilitation Center from natural causes on January 25.

Memorial services will be Saturday February 7, at 1 p.m. at the Assembly of God Church in Lind. Burial service will take place at Delight Cemetery. A celebration of life reception will follow at the Lind Senior Center.

Bob was born on August 22, 1940 in Ritzville, to Charles and Zelma Williams. He was the youngest of five children.

Bob grew up on the family farm homesteaded by his grandfather before statehood. He attended Lind High School graduating in 1959.

After graduation, Bob operated a trucking business for two years. He entered Columbia Basin College in Pasco, in the fall of 1961 studying mechanics and drafting earning a degree in associated arts.

Bob was drafted into the Army in October 1963 spending three months at Fort Ord in California and 18 months at Fort Hood in central Texas.

He was discharged in July 1965 but would remain in the reserves for another 4 years. Bob married Jean Bernard on November 28, 1965. In 1966 they had their first child, Dale and in 1968 a daughter, Sandi.

Bob ran in partnership the family farm and repair business, Williams & Williams, with his brother Jack until Jack passed in 1976.

He continued operating Williams & Williams as well as a fertilizer dealership in Lind. Bob had natural mechanical skills. Some said there was nothing he couldn’t build or fix.

One of his biggest accomplishments was making cabs for Caterpillar tractors that included air conditioning.

Bob was involved in many civic groups throughout his lifetime. He was a member of the Grange for over 50 years, serving as Lind Grange 1035 Master and State Deputy.

He was an active member of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers attending several national conventions. He sponsored the WILFAC little league team, volunteered as videographer of school sports, plays and other events, and served on the Lind school board, including being chairman.

Bob was an active member of the Jr Miss Float Association where he made objects move or even smoke on the float, and a member of the Adams County Fair Board making repairs to the campground.

He loved staying busy outside of the farm with his kids and grandkids’ activities.

Bob finished building his dream home in 1981. He even included a single lane bowling alley in the basement. In 1987 Bob and Jean divorced and he married his high school sweetheart, Gayle Kincaid.

They spent 27 years together being each other’s right left hand. Between the two of them they have five children and eleven grandchildren. They enjoyed going on cruises and traveled this way to Alaska three times. They traveled to most of the places Dale was stationed at in the Air Force.

He loved helping his kids with various projects, building or fixings things and making them better.

Bob retired in 2006 from farming. He still continued to tinker and fix things until Parkinson’s Disease made it no longer possible. He enjoyed watching sports on TV even when camping.

His favorite teams were the Washington State Cougars, the Seattle Mariners, and the Seattle Seahawks. He enjoyed Carrie Underwood’s singing and seeing her in concert was a highlight.

Bob will be remembered for his warm smile, his ability to build and fix anything and his dedication to family.

Bob is survived by his wife, Gayle Williams, children: Kevin and wife, Heidi Starring, Dale and wife, Ann Williams, Kenny and wife, Pam Starring, Sandi and husband, Carey Welsh, and Jolene Starring and by his eleven grandchildren, as well as his brother Lee and wife Sue and sister Kathleen. He is preceded in death by his father Charles Williams, mother Zelma Williams, brother Jack Williams and sister Charlotte Lamson.

In lieu of flowers you may send a memorial to the American Parkinson Disease Association, Washington Chapter, 150 Nickerson Street, Suite 10, Seattle, WA 98109 or the Michael J Fox foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station, PO Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777.