Roberts Williams

Cape Girardeau civic leader and businessman Roberts Thomas Williams, 87, passed away Monday, March 20, 2017, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

Rob was the third child of Gladys and Dr. Paul Williams.

He grew up at 939 College Hill in Cape Girardeau, overlooking the SEMO College football stadium. Rob lived in Cape Girardeau his entire life, graduating from Cape Girardeau Central High in 1947, where he served as student-body president, played on the football and basketball teams, and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. After graduation from high school, he attended the University of Missouri, where he was active in the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He graduated from the University of Missouri in 1951.

After college, Rob served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, where he was stationed in Japan and Korea during the Korean War. After his discharge from the Air Force in 1953, he became a partner with Lindsay Simmons in the Simmons & Williams Insurance Agency and purchased the agency several years later. After a very successful business tenure, Rob sold his agency in 1988 and retired to manage his real-estate properties.

Rob was involved in both residential development and apartment ownership. He and a partner developed five subdivisions in Cape Girardeau. His home of 50 years was in the Brookwood subdivision he developed next to Dennis Scivally Park. Other real-estate activities included the purchase and operation of several apartment complexes with Dr. Edwin Noffel, including Henderson House, Lafayette Place and Heritage House.

Throughout his life in Cape Girardeau, he was actively involved in a variety of civic and charitable activities. He was a longtime member of the Lions Club, where he served as president, was awarded the Edward Dalstrom Distinguished Service Award and the Melvin Jones Fellow Award for Dedicated Humanitarian Services. He also served as county chairman for the American Red Cross.

Rob was a big fan of Missouri sports and held season tickets for the University of Missouri football Tigers. He also was a season ticketholder for the St. Louis Cardinals football team for 27 years and the St. Louis Rams when they came to town.

Rob's zest and passion for life was evident by the depth of his many friendships.

He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Donne Chamberlain Williams; his son, Greg Williams and his wife Holly Williams of Dallas; his daughter, Ellie Williams and her husband Kip Hamby of St. Louis; his granddaughter, Jordan Williams, and grandson, Blake Williams, of Dallas; and grandsons Mark Clinton and Nathan Clinton of St. Louis.

Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Dr. Terry Epling officiating. Graveside services will be at Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau, with full military honors, followed by a luncheon reception at the Cape Girardeau Country Club.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Scottish Rite Hospital, 2222 Welborn St., Dallas, TX 75219; First Presbyterian Church, 235 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Mo 63701; or your charity of choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.