In memoriam: Emeritus missionary Robert Williams, 84

Robert Williams

Robert Williams

Robert “Bob” Alexander Williams Jr. died in Charlotte, North Carolina, on October 13, 2019. He was 84.

Williams and his late wife Olivia served as missionaries to Honduras for almost 30 years. The years they spent reaching the lost of Honduras led to ministries that continue today. He was active in evangelizing, discipling, church-planting and training through the Baptist seminary in Honduras.

Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Williams was an accomplished musician who played both the organ and the piano. He had a degree in organ performance from Memphis State University (University of Memphis) and a Master of Sacred Music degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He served as minister of music in two Georgia churches before he and Olivia were appointed as missionaries in 1970. Williams was the first music missionary appointed to Honduras.

He used his gifts in music in Honduran churches and the seminary, but he also took time to teach piano lessons. To the children and teenagers he taught, he was known as “Tio Bob.” A minister of music who worked with him said, “In addition to his skill and talent at both the organ and piano, his kind and loving spirit was always evident.” 

In retirement, he continued to serve and minister to others. His family wrote, “Serving Jesus and others was the essence of Bob’s life. He lived his life constantly thinking about how to reach others with the good news of Jesus.”

A funeral service was held on Saturday, October 19, 2019, at Mount Harmony Baptist Church in Mabelton, Georgia. He was laid to rest next to his wife and son at Mount Harmony Memorial Gardens, adjacent to the church. He is survived by his daughter, Joy, and her family.


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