1940-2024

Born March 21, 1940, in Allentown, PA, Robert J. “Bob” Williams, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and dedicated serviceman, passed away on December 28, 2024. He was the son of the late Paul and Ruth (Romig) Williams.

Bob graduated from Allentown Central Catholic High School in 1958, and later attended Tidewater Community College in Portsmouth, VA, in 1973, where he earned his Navy ADCOP, and George Washington University in 1976. Bob’s career in service to his country and community was marked by his time in the military, where he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves in 1957, later joining the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman in 1958. He was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy Reserve Medical Service Corps in 1973, retiring as a Lieutenant Commander in 1983. During his distinguished career, he served in several key assignments, including with the Marine Corps in the Dominican Republic in 1965, Vietnam from 1968 to 1970, and the 1st Marine Air Wing in Okinawa from 1979 to 1980.

In addition to his military service, Bob made significant contributions to education and athletics. He was an assistant football athletic trainer at Key West High School in 1959, a PE and Health Education teacher and Head Basketball Coach at A.T. Mahan High School in Keflavik, Iceland, in 1963-64, and head athletic trainer for the All-Navy and All-Services tournaments at NAS Memphis from 1966 to 1968. He was also a dedicated athletic trainer for the Portsmouth Bucs in the Atlantic Seaboard Professional Football League in 1972 and served as a videographer for CBHS Wrestling in Memphis from 1983 to 2015. Bob also spent time as a substitute instructor at Draughn’s Business College in 1988.

A passionate singer, Bob was a former member of the Memphis Chapter Barbershop Harmony Society, the First Generation Singers of Christ United Methodist Church, and the Bartlett Community Chorus and Theater. He was also a proud member of “Noiseful Joys” Gospel Choir at Emmanuel Methodist Church and “Voices of Peace and Praise” Choir at St. Ann Catholic Church.

Bob was deeply involved in his community, dedicating time to service organizations such as the Memphis Lions Clubs, where he served as an operator of the West Tennessee Lions Mobile Sight Van for four years. He was also a member of the World Cataract Foundation, “Memphians for America AMBUCS,” and a life member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Officers Association, and Knights of Columbus (4th Degree). Bob’s devotion to service extended to his career at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where he worked for 11 years, and was a certified Powered Parachute Pilot.

In his personal life, Bob was married to the former Barbara Jeanne Grohs for 57 years. They met while attending Physical Therapy Technician School in the U.S. Navy. He is survived by his sons, Bobby (Jessica) and Brian (Lisa); daughters, Janice and Wendy; nine grandchildren, Brent, Brittany (Doug), Heather (Jason), Kristen, Jeffrey (Amanda), Trace (Tiffany), Brianna (Chris), Sean, and Abigail (Zach); and great-grandchildren, Michael, Jolene, Chandler, Charlie, Joey, and Benedict.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Joseph, Thomas, Mary Jane, and James. He was a member and communicant at St. Ann Catholic Church in Bartlett, TN.

In remembrance of a life full of service, love, and devotion, Bob leaves a legacy of kindness, commitment, and faith, forever cherished by his family, friends, and community.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, World Cataract Foundation, Forever Young or RSVP Chorus

Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to Noon on Tuesday January 7th at St. Ann Bartlett.  His Funeral Mass celebrated by Fr. Mike Morgera will follow. 

Internment with full military honors will be held by the Sgt. Walter K. Singleton Marine Corps League Detachment on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at the West TN Veterans Cemetery.  He has a 1030 – 1050 time slot.