Robert Williams Obituary

Robert Steven Williams N. CHARLESTON - Robert "Bob" Steven Williams passed away on April 12, 2023 in Charleston, South Carolina. He was born in rural Iowa City, IA on August 1, 1940, and was the eldest son of Herbert (Herb) Steven Williams and Betty (Puckett) Williams, on the family's Heritage Farm. He became a big brother to Ed Williams eight years later. He was a baseball standout at City High School in Iowa City and had a lifelong love of flying. He learned to fly aircraft over croplands. He was selected for an ROTC scholarship at Iowa State University, Ames, IA, and graduated in 1963. Bob was an active member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He liked to say they created a degree "just for me to get me out of there". Ensign Williams was the first commissioned officer graduate whose oath of office was signed by the newest President of the United States, Lyndon Baines Johnson. CAPT Bob Williams affectionately received the nickname "Willard" and completed over 110 tactical-free bombing combat missions in Vietnam and served his country as the quintessential Naval aviator before retiring in 1990. He also served as an A6 Landing Signal Officer (LSO), teaching aviators how to take off and land on aircraft carriers. Willard was taxing to the catapult on the deck of the USS Forrestal carrier in the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of Vietnam on July 29, 1967, when an errant Zuni rocket sparked and exploded in an A-4 jet on the portside, setting off a catastrophic explosion that initially killed 134 sailors and injured 161. Pilot Williams and Bombardier Navigator, John Diselrod escaped the fan fire by opening the cockpit doors and jumping to the deck as their right wing was hit and a gaping hole was spewing jet fuel. Williams and Dieselrod assisted in carrying many injured sailors to Sickbay as the only way they could see through the black jet fuel smoke "was by the trail of the blood." During his active-duty Naval career, Captain Williams' commands included VA-42, student, VA-65, USS Constellation, VA-65, USS Forrestal, VA-196, USS Constellation, VA-42, LSO instructor. His reserve commands included VS-72, Commanding Officer, VAQ-209, NAS Norfolk, VA-56, NAS Glenview, C-118, Atlanta, JAQ-EA-6A, NAS Norfolk. CAPT Williams received multiple military awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross, 10 Air Medals, 7 Navy Commendation medals, 7 Navy Achievement medals, the Vietnam Campaign medal and a Vietnam Service medal. He retired in 1990 with the rank of (0-6) Captain. Bob continued his flying career as a commercial airline pilot for TWA, Piedmont, USAir, US Airways and American Airlines, retiring in 2000 at the mandatory age of 60. Bob was a proud "girl dad" and worked diligently to make his scheduled flight obligations to support his attendance at his 3 daughters' multiple athletic and musical events. Once his beautiful grandchildren started to arrive, he so loved the new title his grandkids created, "Grand Bob". He was also an early pioneer of what the girls affectionately titled "Dad's Humor"! His comical approach to being "GrandBob" WAS appreciated by ALL! Bob and his wife, Peggy Wilson Williams, have lived and made their home in Charleston, SC since 1993 and enjoyed golfing, boating, extensive traveling and spending time with friends and family. They were masters of annual Kentucky Derby celebrations. Bob loved the Chicago Cubs, attending games as a young boy, when his uncle Bert Wilson was the broadcaster for the team in the 1950s. He was a lifelong Iowa Hawkeye fan and was honored at being selected as the "Military Hero of the Game" at the Iowa football Homecoming game on October 29, 2022. Bob often commented on how fortunate he was to have lived an exceptionally full and robust life. GO NAVY, BEAT ARMY! He was a volunteer on the USS Yorktown for greater than 12 years, giving tours and sharing information with thousands of visitors, many of whom were searching for vital military information about their loved ones who served on the USS Yorktown. His hours of research and resulting assistance he was able to locate for these families is evidenced by the hundreds of thank you notes he received from so many. He was also a longtime member of the Quiet Birdmen Organization of Good Fellows, an aviation organization whose members are known for great character, integrity and their love of aviation. CAPT Williams leaves behind his beloved wife, Peggy, of more than 30 years, a retired Navy Captain in the Nurse Corps. Bob is also survived by his daughters, Dana Simcox (Damian) and Leslie (Tim) Finer and their mother, Nancy, son-in-law, Don Hedges, brother, Ed (Susan), and grandchildren, Ashley (Loren) Sherman; Lexie, Riley and Jack Finer; and McKenna and Brady Simcox. He was preceded in death by his parents, Betty and Herb Williams, and his precious daughter, Lea Williams Hedges. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, from 4-6 p.m., followed by a brief funeral service at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC. Captain Williams will be interred with full military honors in Iowa City, IA. Memorial gifts may be made to the Lea Williams Hedges Scholarship Fund at St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota. Arrangements by James A. McAlister, (843) 766-1365. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston