W. R. "Bob" Williams

W. R. "Bob" Williams, age 100, of Lenoir Rd. in Morganton, NC died Monday, April 3, 2006 at Grace Ridge Retirement Community following a period of declining illness. He was born Jauary 25, 1906 in Burke County, NC, and was a son of the late Robert Wilkie Williams and Myrtle Causby Williams. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph Williams; and sisters, Fannie Williams, Mamie Hurta, Lelah Williams, and Virginia Beck. Bob graduated from Nebo High School in 1926 and Appalachian Teachers College in 1931 where he played on the first football team for the college. He was the oldest living alumnus of the 4 year Teachers College. Bob taught school for 2 years, and then became the Principal at Oak Hill Elementary School for 10 additional years. He started the first Boy Scout troop in Oak Hill, and then worked as the assistant director for Camp Bud Schiele in Rutherfordton, NC. Bob and his wife, Gena, were the Executive Directors of the South Mountain Institute for 28 years until retirement in 1974. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Morganton where he taught the Wesley Men’s Bible Class, and served on numerous boards.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Gena K. Williams of the home; a daughter, Sylvia W. Webb and husband, Louis, of Hopewell, VA; four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon, Thursday, April 6, 2006 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with the Reverends Carl Lindquist, Donald Freshour, and Holly Adams officiating. The family will receive friends following the service from 1:00 until 2:00 pm at the funeral home. Burial will be at 2:30 pm, Thursday at Burke Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to South Mountain Children’s Home, 7330 Myrtle Dr., Nebo, NC 28761, or the First United Methodist Church, 200 N. King St., Morganton, NC 28655.