WILLIAMS, Robert E. "Bob"/"Doc" - b. September 18, 1929 - d. December 27, 2022

[patyrn]

Dr. Robert E. "Bob"/"Doc" Williams, age 93, of Moline, Kansas, passed away December 27, 2022 at the Eureka Nursing Center in Eureka, Kansas.  He was born September 18, 1929 in Larned, Kansas to Ernest Lee and Dorothy Angeline (Burns) Williams. 

The family moved around a lot as Bob's father worked for the WPA.  They ended up in Elk City, Oklahoma where Bob graduated from Elk City High School.  He continued his education at Oklahoma A & M (now Oklahoma State University) in Stillwater, Oklahoma where he graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1953.  This was the third class to ever graduate from the Vet School.

It was while in college that Bob met a young lady, Beverly Hinkle.  It happened to be on a double blind date when they met.  His date for the evening was Beverly's good friend, Lometa, and Beverly's date for the evening was Roger, Bob's friend and roommate.  The twist in the story is that Bob ended up marrying Beverly and his friend, Roger, eneded up marrying Lometa.  They all remained very close, dear friends.

Bob and Beverly were married August 17, 1952 in Oklahoma  one year before his graduation from Vet School.  Soon after graduation, the couple packed up their car and moved to Moline, Kasnas where they spent the next 69 years together, raising their two children and being a huge part of the community.  Bob had already purchased the Veterinary practice of Dr. Bunyan before graduating.  Doc Williams, as most knew him, would continue the practice for the next 46 years, retiring in 1999. 

In his career Doc received numerous awards.  He received the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association's President's Award in 1979.  In 1982, he was the Kasnas Veterinarin of the Year.  He was also featured in Modern Veterinary Practice in 1965 detailing his forward approach on a 2-way vet clinic.  This led to him being one of five featured clinics from the State of Kansas in a movie created about veterinary practices.  He also served on the State Board of Veterinary Examiners, giving stare boards to graduating vet students, the Livestock Sanitary Commission, Kansas State Veterinary Asssociation where he served as President in 1975, and was a member of the American Veterinary Association.

Doc was involved in many community activities.  He was a member of the Elk County Rodeo Association for over 50 years, serving as President for a number of years.  He served on the Moline School Board, was Mayor of Moline, member of the Lions Club, 4-H community club leader, Elk County Cattlemen , and served as Elk County Democratic Party Chairman.  He was proud of his lifelong membership in the Oklahoma State University Alumni Association and his Honorary Kansas State University Alumni Association membership for the part he played in getting the new Vet School built in 1976.

Bob was a great husband, a wonderful dad, and a great friend to many.  He will be missed by everyone that knew him.  Some will especially miss his hand-cranked ice cream. 

Bob is survived by his daughter, Julianne (Curtis) Wilhite of Leon, Kansas and his grandchildren, Nicole Williams of Dewey, Oklahoma and Reed (Eve) Williams of Moline, Kansas.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Beverly; his son, Jim Williams; his brother, Horace Lee Williams; and his sister, Mary Burns.

Funeral service to honor Bob Williams will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.  Interment will follow at the Moline Cemetery in Moline, Kansas.  Memorial contributions can be made to the Elk County Rodeo Association or the Moline Baptist Church and can be mailed to or left with the funeral home.  Services have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)