Dr. Robert “Bob” Hilton Williams, 95, of Anderson, passed away July 29, 2011 at Countryside Manor Healthcare. He was born on Aug. 9, 1915 to Dr. Francis M. and Ella (Kirkman) Williams in a log cabin on the family farm in Madison County.
He graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1937. He completed his surgical residency in Baltimore, Md. following his service in WWII with the Army 111th Medical Regiment attached to the 36th Infantry Division. Bob was the head surgeon of the first field hospital in Italy and he was one of the first American doctors of the war to arrive on European soil in combat service. He returned to Anderson to continue his surgery practice at both St. Johns and Community hospitals. He established his surgical practice in the same house his father had his practice, which was on Central Ave. He served as president of the Medical Staff at St. Johns in 1956 and of Community Hospital in 1964. He retired from his surgical practice in 1974. Bob was a Master Mason and a life member of Mt. Moriah F. and A.M. Lodge.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Susan (Hardy) Williams in 2001; and by his son, Tom Williams in 2001.
He is survived by his four children, Anne Smith (Larz) of Colleyville, Texas, Jan Kirby (Bill) of Anderson, Phil Williams (Nancy) of Clinton, Conn. and Julie Williams of Anderson; grandchildren, Jennifer Drinjak (Matt) of Frisco, Texas, Larz T. Smith of Austin, Texas, Stephanie Smith of Dallas, Texas, Kara Robinson (Joe) of Pendleton, Kena Swanson (Wes) of Pearl River, N.Y., Phillip Williams, Jimmy Williams (Brit) of Conn., Mike Williams of Conn., Libby Saunders of Pendleton, Laura Thetford (Ryan) of Pendleton, Paul Weir of Muncie, Chad Williams (Megan) of Greenbrae, Calif., Rob Williams (Carla) of Chicago, Ill., Andrea Holtz (Alex) of Elkhart and John Robbins (Jenni) of Carmel; great grandchildren, Keegan and Megan Williams, Thomas and Luke Williams, Zeb Holtz, Katie and Kyle Drinjak, Sydney Robinson, Greta and Abigail Swanson, and Bleu, Aubree, Isabelle and Lucy Saunders.
Services will be conducted at 4 p.m. Sunday at Brown-Butz-Diedring Funeral Home with Pastor Ryan Thetford. Burial will take place on Monday at East Maplewood Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 – 4 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.
Online condolences: www.brownbutzdiedring.com
