Robert Williams

Funeral services for prominent Cookeville Businessman, Community, and Civic Leader Mr. Robert Andrew Williams, age 97, will be held Tuesday July 15 at 1 p.m. in the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home with Dr. Martin Thielen and Rev. Harold Walker officiating. Interment will follow in Paran Cemetery in Overton County. Mr. Williams family will receive friends Monday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Tuesday from 11 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Mr. Williams died Saturday morning July 12, 2014 at his home. He was born February 11, 1917 in Overton County, Tennessee to the late Frank Thomas and Myrtie Byers Williams. Mr. Williams was a life-long member of Cookeville First Methodist Church. He was a charter member and long-time Treasurer of the Backsliders Sunday School Class. Mr. Williams was member of Cookeville Evening Lions Club; member and long-time Treasurer of the Paran Cemetery Board; a former First Tennessee Bank Director; and was a charter director of the Cookeville Golf and Country Club. In 1939 he and his father founded Williams Wholesale which he operated until his retirement and until recently was at the store most every day to greet customers. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Ethel Williams (who died January 13, 2014); and a brother, Roy Lee Williams; and three infant siblings. Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Bobby and Deborah Williams, Roy and Diane Williams all of Cookeville; four grandchildren, B-Bob Williams and wife, Jessica, Julie-Beth Boyd and husband, Brandon, Lee Williams and wife Kacy, and David Williams; six great grandchildren, Josie Kate Williams, Maya Williams, Will Henry Boyd, Annie Blake Boyd, Benton Williams, and Campbell Williams. Honorary Pallbearers will be employees of Williams Wholesale Supply Company. Active Pallbearers will be grandsons, B-Bob Williams, Lee Williams, David Williams, and Brandon Boyd. Memorial contributions may to made to the Paran Cemetery Fund c/o Ann Mainord 1268 Park Drive Cookeville, TN 38501 or Cookeville First United Methodist Church 165 East Broad Street, Cookeville, TN 38501.