Robert L. Williams

WILLIAMS,Robert Llewellyn Born March 1, 1926 in Salinas in Monterey County, died at the age of 84 on Sunday, January 9, 2011 at Enloe Hospital in Chico, Butte County. Robert, better known to his family and friends as Bob, died after a short battle with pneumonia and lung cancer. A fourth generation resident of Salinas, he was raised on California Street in the home his grandfather built in the late 1800's. He was an alumnus of Salinas Union High School and served with the US Navy in Australia and Philippines during World War II. He married Rachel Lucille (Rae) Adkins in the First Methodist Church at Reno on March 9, 1946. In Bob's youth, he was passionate about sports especially football. He played semi-pro football with the Santa Cruz Hawks. He was active in Junior Achievement, a charter member of St. Mathias Lutheran Mission Church, a Cub Scout Pack Leader, a life time member of the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph (PT&T) Pioneers, an avid bowler, enjoyed Big Band music and kicking up his heels on the dance floor. He was a vociferous reader of history and a storyteller. During his professional career with PT&T, he also worked several part-time positions with Cork & Bottle and Purity Butcher Shop. He also repaired and replaced light fixtures atop 300 foot radio towers. He leaves children: Mark and his wife Julie (Galvan) of Chico, Kathy Erickson and her husband Howard of Santa Rosa, Pat Tollefson and her husband David of Sacramento; grandchildren: Michael and Jennifer Boles of Santa Rosa, Jeremy Tollefson and Chelsey (Tollefson) Fernandez and her husband Dylan of Sacramento, Nicole (Aguila) Machado and her husband Lucas of Sacramento, Raquel and Daniel Williams of Chico; two great-grandchildren Dylan and Jack Robert Fernandez of Sacramento; nephew Stephen Williams and niece Deborah Kush. He is preceded in death by his wife, Rae, and his brother, John Richard (Jack) Williams, his mother Lucile Williams. A funeral service for Bob will be held at Newton-Bracewell Chico Funeral Home, 680 Camellia Way, Chico on Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. You may view and send condolences online at www.nbcfh.com.