| Robert Leonard Williams |
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Mr. Robert Leonard Williams, 79, of 145 Queen Road passed away
Tuesday, March 6, at Cleveland Regional Medical Center in Shelby.
Born June 19, 1932 in Hayesville, NC he was a son of the late Grady and
Ethel Nabors Williams. The family moved to Statesville, NC when Robert was
6 months old. Robert was a member of Polkville Baptist Church where he had
taught Sunday school and led Wednesday night Bible Study. He graduated from
Statesville High School, Mitchell Community College, Lenoir Rhyne University
and Appalachian State University and also did additional studies at
University of Maryland, University of New Hampshire and University of New
York at Geneseo. Robert was a prolific writer and lover of literature. He
taught at Statesville High School for 7 years, Appalachian State University
for 2 years and Gaston Community College for 20 years. Robert was a
writer-in-Residence at Gaston College for 9 years. He established family
company Rusty Gates Books, LLC, written 57 books on history, travel,
mountain lore, how to, hiking and more than 1,000 magazine and newspaper
articles. He also taught classes in writing at Cleveland Community College
and led Tuesday Night Gang in publishing an anthology Fireflies and
Junebugs. Robert played baseball for the farm team of Washington Senators
and served in the 350th Infintry of the US Army in Austria during the
Korean Conflict.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three brothers,
Johnny Williams, Grady Williams, Jr. and Frank Williams and a sister, Doris
Williams Mason.
Robert is survived by his wife of 40 years, Helen Elizabeth, son, Robert
III; daughter, Gail (Ron) Smith; son Robert Williams, Jr. and sisters,
Carolyn (Jerry) Freeland, Janice Finkenstadt. He is also survived by
grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Visitation: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Friday, at Polkville Baptist Church,
Polkville
Memorial Service: 11:00 AM, Friday, at Polkville Baptist Church, Polkville
Officiating: Rev. Rick Hamrick and Dr. Vince Hefner
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Polkville Baptist Church, PO Box
245, Polkville, NC 28136 or to the Donor's Choice.
A guest register is available at www.stameyfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Stamey Funeral Home, Fallston. |
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