Robert Williams

Colonel Robert Q. Williams, Retired United States Air Force, passed away in Columbia, Missouri on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.

Colonel Williams was born in Ocala, Florida, on December 22, 1930. During his childhood his family lived in New Jersey, Rhode Island, Florida, and Washington, D.C. They settled in Arlington, Virginia and Robert completed his public schooling there in 1948. He attended Virginia Tech and graduated in 1953 with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. Having attended AFROTC at Virginia Tech, he immediately went on active duty with the Air Force for training as a navigator/observer. He served as a combat crewmember, instructor navigator and standardization navigator and squadron/wing staff officer in KC-97 and KC-135 Strategic Air Command air refueling units at bases in Alabama, Ohio and California. While assigned to Beale AFB, California, his unit participated in the CIA Project OXCART and Operation Blackshield in the U.S. and Okinawa, Japan from 1962 to 1968 when the Air Force assumed operational responsibility for the missions. In 1972 he was assigned to Strategic Air Command Headquarters at Offutt AFB, Nebraska, where he worked in the Future Concepts Division. He next assumed command of Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 440, University of Missouri - Columbia in 1974. His final assignment was as Deputy Commander for Resource Management of the 91st Strategic Missile Wing, Minot AFB, North Dakota from 1978 to 1983. On August 1st, 1983, Colonel Williams retired from the Air Force after more the thirty years service. While in the Air Force he attended Squadron Officer School in 1957, Air Command and Staff College in 1965 and was awarded an M.S. degree in Business Administration from George Washington University.

Colonel Williams received various awards and decorations during his thirty year career including the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal with V for Valor, the Air Force Commendation Medal with I oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with V for Valor and 7 oak leaf clusters, the Combat Readiness Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with I Bronze Service Star, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with 8 Bronze Service Stars. He is a member of the American Legion o and life member of the Air Force Association, the Military Officers Association of America, and the Roadrunners International.

After retiring from the Air Force, Colonel Williams worked as an administrative assistant and office manager for Lowder Realty in Montgomery, Alabama. In 1995 he retired from that company and returned to Columbia, Missouri, to be closer to his children and grandchildren.

Colonel Williams was preceded in death by his parents, James C. and Grace Q. Williams of Lake Worth, Florida, his brother, Dr. James C. Williams, Ill of Auburn, Alabama, his daughter Susan Lea, of Los Angeles, California, and 1 great-great grandson.

He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Virginia Martin Williams. Four children, Robert Q. Jr., of Hallsville, Missouri, Patricia A of Columbia, Missouri, Bruce E. of St. Peters, Missouri, five grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorials are suggested to The Food Bank 2101 Vandiver Dr. Columbia, MO 65202

or Central Missouri Humane Society 616 Big Bear Blvd, Columbia, MO 65202

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker-Millard Funeral Service & Crematory, 12 East Ash Street, Columbia, MO 65203 (573) 449-4153. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com