Robert Williams

Robert Bruce Williams was born in Chicago, IL on December 15, 1937 to George W. and Betty J. Hardy Williams. He passed away on May 9, 2009 at St. Anne Mercy Hospital. The family lived in the Washington D.C. area post World War II where he attended Oakland Elementary School. Upon returning to the Chicago area Robert and his parents moved to Evanston, IL where he attended Evanston public schools. He graduated from Evanston Township High School in June of 1955, where he played football, was a member of the African American Club and became a French Scholar. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps where he was honorably discharged after four years of service. Bob then completed his college education at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO with a BA degree in Sociology/History. After marrying his beloved wife Muriel they moved to Toledo, OH where he attended the University Of Toledo Law School earning a doctorate of Juris Prudence Degree. Shortly thereafter their son John James was born. Robert began practicing in the law offices of J. Slater Gibson and William Thomas. He was a part of the formation of Harambee a community based organization. Bob was honored by the Ohio Supreme court with a special certificate during the Harambee years. Throughout his career he was active in the Democratic Party serving on various committees and worked on many political campaigns. Robert was a member of the Toledo Bar Association, The Thurgood Marshall Law Association and served numerous years on the boards of the YMCA and EOPA. He enjoyed speaking at various churches and on community programs. Bob also served many years on the residence Board of the Birckhead Park Association where he his family resides. Robert was an active member of the National African American Bar Association, the National Bar Association and the Lagrange Street Community Board. For the last 25 years he was employed with the Lucas County Prosecutors office in the Real Estate Tax Foreclosure Division and formally the Juvenile Court Division. Bob was a life long jazz enthusiast he also enjoyed traveling internationally and nation wide with his wife, son, daughter-in-law, and 2 grandchildren. His parents were sponsors of their trips to Mexico sharing their timeshare. The special joy of his life was playing with the model train with his son John; they also enjoyed fishing, ball games, family picnics and boy scout activities. He was a life long Episcopalian he attended All Saints Episcopal Church where he served on the vestry, trained the Acolytes, and was an active member in the Men’s Guild and enjoyed speaking for the law day Sunday services. He was preceded in death by his father George W. Williams of Chicago, IL. He leaves to cherish his memory dear mother Betty J. Hardy Williams of Chicago, IL, devoted wife Muriel E. Webb Williams, son, John James (Shanna) two devoted granddaughters, Jasmyne Jada and Latrice Marie (Wilbert), great granddaughter Jo Leeah Marie and a host of loving relatives and dear friends. Visitation will be 4:30-6:30p.m. On Thursday followed by wake service from 6:30-8:30p.m. at Dale Riggs Funeral Home Chapel 572 Nebraska Ave. Funeral service 11a.m. Friday at All Saints Episcopal Church Rev. Beverly Tasy officiant burial Toledo Memorial Park. www.dalefh.com The family would like to extend a special thank you to Judge Charles and Mrs. Lera Doneghy, and the ICU nurses at St. Anne Mercy Hospital for their care and concern.