SIOUX CITY -- Robert D. Williams, 76, of Sioux City passed away on March 9, 2010, of natural causes including the progression of Alzheimer's.
Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the Church of the Nativity. The Rev. Gerald Feierfiel will officiate. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a parish vigil service at 7 p.m., at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home. Visitation will resume at 9 a.m. Saturday at the church.
Robert was born on July 13, 1933, the son of Robert E. and Pearl (Hixson) Williams, in Iowa Point, Kan. He was one of two children born to Robert E. and Pearl Williams. He grew up in Highland, Kan., and later Kansas City, Kan. during World War II. He later joined the U.S. Navy in 1953, serving his country in the Pacific aboard the USS Apache. He was later stationed in Washington D.C. at the Naval Intelligence School.
On Dec. 29, 1956, Robert married Lois Rogerson at St. Alphonsus Church in Seattle, Wash. They lived in Washington D.C., Seattle and later Spokane, Wash. They then moved to Sioux City, where they made their home and raised their family. They were married for more than 53 years.
Once out of the service, Robert worked for the Great Northern Railroad in Seattle, Spokane, and later in Sioux City. In Sioux City in 1964, he became employed with VanBuskirk Construction Co. as an office manager, and became a partner with the company in 1995 until his retirement. In total, he worked with VanBuskirk Construction Co. for nearly 40 years.
He was an active member of Nativity Catholic Church, where he served as a member of the men's club, and for many years was an usher, often at the Saturday evening service. He and his wife were among the founding members of Nativity Parish in Morningside. He was one of a group of men who helped construct the rectory at the church in the late 1960s, an accomplishment of which he was very proud. In retirement he enjoyed time with his family, traveling, and his greatest passion -- golf.
Survivors include his wife, Lois of Sioux City; two sons, Kevin and his wife, Beth, of Sammamish, Wash., and Gregg and his wife, Leanne, of Sioux City; and a daughter, Karen Otto and her husband, Jon, of Salix, Iowa. Family members also included 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; and lifelong friends, Nolan and Beryl Blevins of Highland, Kan.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father; and a granddaughter, Amber Williams.
The family would like to give special thanks to Hospice of Siouxland and Countryside Senior Living for their special and loving care provided in the final weeks of Bob's life.
Memorials can be made be directed to Hospice of Siouxland.
Pallbearers will be his six grandsons, Robert Williams, Dan Williams, Ryan Williams, Bryce Williams, Nick Cook and Tom Cook.