Robert Franklin Williams, age 67, of Moncure, died Sunday morning, September 12, 2021, with his family by his side, at UNC Hospital.
Robert was born at Lee County Hospital in Sanford, N.C., on March 18, 1954, to Ben Robert Williams and the late Frances Brooks Williams. He was also preceded in death by an older sister, Mary Susan Williams, maternal grandparents, Charlie Brooks and wife Pearl and paternal grandparents, Paul Williams and wife Lydia.
Robert grew up loving the countryside and living close to his maternal grandparents, where he spent many days roaming the woods and playing outdoors with family and friends. Robert graduated from Pittsboro High School in 1972. He attended Campbell College in Buies Creek, N.C., where he flourished and met many lifelong friends. He worked for Budget Rental Cars at RDU Airport and was transferred to Knoxville, Tennessee, in the late 1980s, where he loved living in the mountains. He was particularly smitten with a beautiful place, “Cades Cove,” where his family spent time when visiting him. He had a fondness for nature and the simple things in life. His favorite holiday was Christmas.
During his childhood, scouting for a tree in the woods to bring home and decorate in the family living room was his passion. He enjoyed watching sporting events, especially Duke basketball. He also enjoyed music and possessed unusual background knowledge of artists, particularly classic rock. His dog, Woodrow, was his pride and joy for many years and he often rode him around in his Toyota truck. Photography was a favorite hobby and he loved taking pictures of the outdoors or of his family members, especially at get-togethers. During the emergence of video camcorders, he was once quoted as saying, “There is nothing like a still photo to capture a single moment in time.”
In addition to his father, he is survived by one brother, Richard Williams and wife Joni of Moncure, and one sister, Sandra Burke and husband Bill Slaughter of Goldston; his nieces and nephews are Brooke Strowd and husband Robert of Moncure, Richie Williams of Pittsboro, Hayden Burke and wife Jessie of Goldston, Carter Burke of Goldston and Banks Burke of Goldston.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, September 15, 2021, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Donaldson Funeral Home, Pittsboro, N.C.
A private family service will be held at a later time.
Condolences may be made at www.donaldsonfunerals.com.