Robert C. Williams ~ Obituary

1960 Tower Dedication Picture

Mr. Robert C. Williams

In grateful appreciation for his skillful teaching and his wisdom in guiding our feet along the trails of life, we,
the Senior Class of 1960, dedicate this volume of THE TOWER to Mr. Robert C. Williams.

Robert C. Williams

A graveside service was conducted at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Maplewood Cemetery for retired school teacher Robert Crockett Williams of Paris. Mike Wimberley, pastor of Olive Branch United Methodist Church, officiated.

Family members served as pallbearers.

There was no visitation. McEvoy Funeral Home handled arrangements.

Williams, 89, died Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009, at Henry County Medical Center.

Born Aug. 22, 1919, in Henry County, he was the son of Ephraim and Erin Tharpe Williams, both deceased.

He was married on Jan. 6, 1946, to the former Faye Jones, who died Sept. 8, 1992.

Williams taught chemistry and physics at Grove and Henry County high schools. He was chairman of the science department at HCHS. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and U.S. Marine Corps veteran of World War II. He also was a member of the Paris-Henry County Sports Hall of Fame.

He leaves several nephews, including William “Bill” Dumas of Cottage Grove; and several nieces, great-nieces and great-nephews.

He also was preceded in death by three sisters: Thelma Williams Dunn, Virginia W. McDaniel and Billie Williams Dumas; and a nephew: James “Jim Spider” Dumas.

Robert Crockett Williams built structures to last

Long-time teacher had famous ancestor

Any long-term teacher builds enduring yet invisible castles. Their building blocks are knowledge and character and understanding; from their walls fly pennants of appreciation and respect from their students across the decades.

So it is with Robert Crockett Williams, Henry County teacher and coach who saw generations of students in his classrooms. He was never a man to make headlines or to call attention to himself, but in his calm and methodical way he was a castle-builder.

He was a great-great-great grandson of the storied David Crockett, but he didn’t brag much about it. Bragging wasn’t his style, building was.

The above obituary and tribute were reprinted from
THE PARIS POST-INTELLIGENCER
Paris, Tennessee
Monday, August 24, 2009 Edition ~ Used by Permission