Robert A. Williams

Robert A. Williams, 61, of Bedford, Ind., died on Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at the Dunn Memorial Hospital following a one-year illness.

Born March 29, 1946, in Owyhee, Nev., he was the son of Ralph Joseph and Mary Jane (Raymond) Williams. He graduated from Shadle Park High School in Spokane with the class of 1963. He served honorably and with distinction in the U.S. Navy for 21 years and retired as a senior chief petty officer. Later, he worked at GE in Bloomington and retired after eighteen years. He was an elder in the Puyallup Indian Tribe in Tacoma. Robert was well known as a happy, gentle person and a proud family man, a loving and protective brother and son.

Survivors include one son, Keith David Williams of Spokane; three daughters, Stacy Margaret Roberts of Spokane, Heather Marie Staggs of Bloomington and Amy Lee Williams of Bedford; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one brother, Daniel Paul Williams of Spokane; one sister, Geneva Ann Marshall of Spokane; one aunt, Pearl Hogner of Jay, Okla.; five nieces and numerous cousins in Washington and Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, from the Elmwood Chapel of the Day and Carter Mortuary with Rev. Kregg Burris officiating. Military rites will be accorded at the conclusion of the service. Cremation with ceremony at sea will be conducted at a later date. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 28, at the Day & Carter Mortuary. Family and friends are invited to sign the guest book and light a candle in memory of Robert at www.daycarter.com.