Robert "Bob" Williams

Robert “Bob” Williams, 71, of Benton Harbor, MI passed away Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at Spectrum Health Lakeland in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:30 A.M., Saturday, May 1, 2021 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Friends may visit with the family from 10:30 A.M. until 11:30 A.M., Saturday at the funeral home. Inurnment will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Benton Harbor with military rites provided. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Those wishing to share a memory of Bob online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Bob was born May 5, 1949 in Elizabethtown, KY to Willard & Darlene (Voudry) Williams. On February 14, 1980 he married Diana (Arnt) Collins in Benton Harbor. Bob was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend who held numerous titles throughout the state as a Veterans Advocate. Bob served with the 101st Airborne in Vietnam, where he earned two Purple Hearts, and he went on to serve in the 82nd Airborne. Since Vietnam he has lived with Agent Orange. He was appointed by Governor Snyder to the Trust Fund where he became Vice Chairman of the Veteran’s Trust Fund for the State of Michigan where he helped to direct funds to veterans in need of support. Bob was a leader in the VFW Fruit Belt Post 1137, American Legion Post 362, North Berrien Military Rites Team, Lest We Forget, and many other organizations. One of Bob’s best memories was when he helped place the wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Bob was also a member of the St. John & Bernard Parish, Knights of Columbus and the Benton Harbor Moose Lodge 1570. He was a man of the Lord. He loved to spend time with his family especially his grandchildren and was an avid Notre Dame Fan. Bob is survived by wife Diana Williams; children, Michele Collins, Michael (Kristina) Collins and Michelle Ritter; grandchildren Crystal (A.J. Crowe) Collins and Courtney Collins; great grandchildren Aubrey Crowe, Lexi Collins, Arik Williams, Andrew Fulkerson, Ayden Fulkerson, Beau Wutzke and Kaleb Wutzke; sister Jan (Duane) Avery; niece Brandi (Danny) Todd; sister-in-law Vicki Williams; two brothers by another mother Tom & John Street; and the George Gaunder family who took Bob in under their wings. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Ronald, Beverly and Joann and son, Jeffery Williams.