Bob Williams

Robert Fred "Bob" Williams, 76, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, May 16, 2013, at his home surrounded by family.

He was born Sept. 30, 1936, in Cape Girardeau to Fred O. and Anita Robinson Williams.

Bob attended Franklin Elementary School and Cape Girardeau Central High School.

He served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division.

He was a riverboat deckhand for John I. Hay, worked for Marquette Cement Co. and retired from Cotton Belt/Southern Pacific Railroad as a conductor.

Bob was a lifelong Cardinals fan and enjoyed watching the games with his wife. He was a member of Elks Lodge 639, where he held the positions of past exalted ruler and past district deputy grand exalted ruler; a member of Eagles Aerie 3775 in Cape Girardeau serving as past trustee; and a member of American Legion Post 63. He volunteered at the Missouri Veterans Home and managed the American Legion stand at SEMO District Fair for more than 12 years; he was a member of H.O. Grauel Lodge 672 AF&AM.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Darlene Bechel Williams of Cape Girardeau; five children, Kim (Dr. David) Cappetta, Brad Williams, Robin Williams (fiance Dan Crawford), Chris (Brenda) Williams and Billy Williams (friend Jay Johnson); seven grandchildren, Elizabeth Kintz, Alexandra Cappetta, Heather Seyer, Holden Williams, Jessica Mancini and Adam and Kelli Williams; four great-grandchildren, Isabella Rose Mancini and Alexis, Caleb and Kalli Seyer; a sister, Cathy (John) Zivec of Joliet, Ill.; and a nephew, Richard (Kelly) Greer.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home. Elks Lodge 639 will conduct a service at 7:30 p.m.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jim Matthews officiating. Entombment with full military rites will be in Cape County Memorial Park and Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be sent to Southeast Hospice or the Missouri Veterans Home.

Online condolences may be shared at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.