Johnny Robert “Bob” Williams

Johnny Robert "Bob" Williams, 88, died November 18, 2017, culminating a life of serving as a longtime Elder and leader of Westside Church of Christ, 40 years as a business leader with Central Builders, Inc., and 25 years as an editor of the Rocky Mount Telegram. Born in Rocky Mount on October 30, 1929, he was the eldest child of his late parents, Johnnie Joseph (Jack) Williams, Sr., and Iola Myrtle Pullen Williams. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Angerlane Whitfield Williams, and his brother, Philmore Eugene Williams. A 1947 graduate of Rocky Mount High School, Bob attended UNC Chapel Hill, majored in journalism, and became Sports Editor of the Rocky Mount Telegram in 1951. In joining the Telegram staff, he followed such previous notable Telegram sports editors as Dick Herbert who went on to serve for 29 years as sports editor of the Raleigh News & Observer and Bob Quincy who became the acclaimed sports editor of the Charlotte News. While fulfilling his newspaper career, Bob also served as a community leader in Rocky Mount. He was Information Director in Rocky Mount's first successful effort to receive recognition as an All-American City of The Year. Bob was involved in various civic clubs, and founded and organized the Rocky Mount Breakfast Optimist Club. In relation to the Optimist International creed "Friend of the Boy," Bob established the Breakfast Optimist Club's public speaking forum for local youth and taught young boys in that class for several years. In recognition, Optimist International honored Bob with a Life Member Medallion in 1958. In further dedication to local youth activities, Bob worked with City Recreation director Ed Turnley to launch the Midget Football League. Bob coached the American Legion Midget Football team to three undefeated championship seasons, and saw some of those young players go on to college stardom. He also worked with Charlie Daniels at the YMCA and local youth leaders, including National Baseball Hall of Fame star Buck Leonard, to develop such baseball programs as Midget League, Little League, and Pony League. As Sports Editor of the Rocky Mount Telegram, Bob won five NC Press Association awards for outstanding sports reporting. In 1962, he was honored by the Raleigh Hot Stove League as NC's Baseball Writer of the Year and was named by Minor League Baseball as the Class A Carolina League Sports Writer of the Year. After serving as Sports Editor for 14 years, Bob was named the newspaper's State Editor, and later served as Assistant Managing Editor. During his newspaper career, he developed relationships with various local newspapers, including weekly publications in Nashville and Spring Hope, and daily newspapers in Wilson, Kinston, Goldsboro, and Wilmington. Statewide, he served as a contributing correspondent for the Raleigh News & Observer, the Durham Herald, the Greensboro Daily News, the Charlotte Observer, and the Asheville Citizen-Times. Bob left The Telegram in 1976 to join his father's business at Central Builders in Rocky Mount. At that time Central Builders was a general contracting firm engaged in installing water and sewer lines, and building pump stations and sewage disposal plants in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Due to Bob's planning for corporate expansion, the company added HVAC installation to its business in the early 1980s and then added total renovation of multi-family HUD Housing Authority projects. Over the years Central Builders completed more such Housing Authority renovation projects than any other company in the state. Central Builders established an office in Richmond, VA, in the 1970s, and under the direction of Bob's brother Gene the Richmond office was highly successful. Bob served as an officer and leader of the family business until his retirement in 2015. When Angerlane his wife of 26 years died unexpectedly in 1980, Bob lost the love of his life. Bob and Lane had been sweethearts since the eighth grade, and announced their engagement when they were 18 years old. After Lane died when she was only 50 years old, Bob devoted the rest of his life to their family. He never did want or need another wife until, like Jesus, Bob took the Church as his new Bride, loved the Church, and gave himself up for Her. He served Westside Church of Christ for more than 25 years as elder, teacher, and lay-preacher. It was at Westside Church of Christ that Bob received heavenly assurance that there is life after death. Bob now leaves behind him both families - his home family and his church family. Bob Williams is survived by two sons, Anthony Lane (Tony) and wife Melanie of Goldsboro, and Michael Shane (Mike) and wife Valerie of Clayton; his sister Doril Elaine Henderson and husband Jack of Rocky Mount; his brother Johnnie Joseph (Jackie) Williams, Jr, and wife Davetta of Corinth, TX; his sister-in-law Gloria Williams Proakis and husband Tony of Richmond; three grandchildren, Ryan Tyler Williams and wife Chrissy of London, England; Zachary Lane Williams and wife Brittany of Goldsboro; Brianna Williams Latiolais and husband Colby of Lafayette, LA; four great-grandchildren - Eli, Tucker, Reese, and Kooper - and a fifth one, little Tripp who will always live in heavenly memory; and numerous nieces and nephews. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Rev. Mike Hinrichs officiating. Burial will follow at Pineview Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM prior to the service in the Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home. In lieu of funeral flowers, cash contributions are requested to be made to the Westside Church of Christ, 2551 Benvenue Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. These funds will be dedicated to the Westside worldwide evangelism program to which Mr. Williams was committed. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home 1130 N. Winstead Ave. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> | Tuesday 11/21, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Service Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home 1130 N. Winstead Avenue Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> | Tuesday 11/21, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Arrangements Pending. Cemetery Pineview Cemetery 761 N. Raleigh Road Rocky Mount, NC 27801 Tuesday 11/21, 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm