Obituary: Karl Robert ‘Bob’ Williams

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3/10/1936  – 3/19/2025
Lawrence

Karl Robert (Bob) Williams 89 went home to be with his Lord Savior Jesus Christ on March 19, 2025.

Karl Robert (Bob) Williams was born to Raymond Anselm and Hazel Thedora Forman Williams on March 10, 1936 in Lawrence, Kansas. Karl attended the Kanawka School Lawrence, Ks across the road from his family’s farm and Liberty Memorial High School Lawrence, Ks and attended KU for 2 years before becoming employed at the Santa Fe Railroad.

Karl (Bob) met his wife Catherine Kreighbaum in 1969 at the Hillcrest Bowling Alley where they both loved bowling. They were married on May 13, 1971 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lawrence, Kansas by Pastor Harold Hamilton where Bob had been a member for fifty years.

Karl Robert (Bob) was employed by the Santa Fe Railroad in Topeka, Kansas for 40 years. He was an active volunteer for twenty-three years at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital he loved his time working twice a week until covid and then was reduced to once-a-week Bob had given close to 5,000 hours of time volunteering and loved working the Health Fairs. In 2020 Bob was given the Marguerite Lockwood Volunteer of the Year Award.

Bob also worked for the Laird Noller Ford here in Lawrence driving new cars and going to the auctions in Kansas City to buy used cars. He did both of these activities up until July of 2024.

Karl Robert (Bob) and Catherine were blessed to have two sons Robert Scott Britton-Williams and David Raymond Williams.

Karl Robert (Bob) is survived by his wife Catherine, a son David Raymond Williams and a granddaughter Averi Poe Williams all of Lawrence, Kansas. A sister Marjorie Caroline Schenck Poquoson, Va. A son Robert Scott Britton-Williams preceded him in death August 22, 2018 and a grandson Riley Lane Davis­ Britton preceded in him death May 14, 2019. Bob was forever changed when our granddaughter Averi was born. Averi was Papa’s girl and loved to sit on his lap and play school, or grocery store, or making up silly stories and laughing. Bob adored Averi and he was forever blessed being a part of her life. He always called Averi his little cupcake.

As per Bob’s request there will be no services or visitation.

John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”

Revelation 21:4 “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

To leave a message for Bob’s family, please visit www.Rumsey-Yost.com.

Note: The Lawrence Times is offering Lawrence and Douglas County community members space to publish remembrances of loved ones who lived in this community, free of charge. These pieces are submitted by family and friends of the deceased and not written by our staff. Photos are also provided to the publication, and some may have been altered prior to submission. Read more obituaries here.

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