Bobbie D. Williams

Bobbie (Bob) Dwayne Williams (1936-2024) Bob Williams, beloved husband, father, and grandparent, passed away December 20, 2024, in Austin, TX, after 88 years of living a passionate commitment to justice and community service. Whether preaching from the pulpit, leading a state agency, or helping breathe economic life into small Texas towns, Bob left a legacy of strong leadership, fast friendships, and strong family ties. The only child of Johnny James Williams and Marguerite Armstrong, Bob was born February 9, 1936, in San Angelo and attended Lakeview High School and San Angelo Junior College where he played basketball. In his second year at college, his team won the National Junior College Championship, and he secured a basketball scholarship to attend Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX, where he earned a B.A.in History in 1958. While always passionate about basketball even from an early age, Bob found his true calling in ministry to others in multiple church postings and through public sector service. In 1962 he graduated from SMU’s Perkins School of Theology with a Master’s degree in Theology. From 1960 to 1966, Bob interned at the Wesley Foundation in Dallas and served as pastor at the following churches: Matthew Memorial Methodist Church in Hillsboro, St. Stephen’s Methodist Church in San Antonio, First United Methodist Church in Bertram, and St. Paul’s Methodist Church in Kerrville. In 1961, Bob married Donna Stringer of Houston, and they had three sons: Michael, Sean, and Christopher. Bob and Nancy Hesse Matthews married in 1973, bringing her son Matt and daughter Missy into their blended family of children ages four through 10. They bought a home for their new family of seven in Leon Valley, TX. In1984 Bob and Nancy moved to Austin. In 1976, 14 years after graduating from Perkins, Bob obtained an additional Master’s degree, this time in Urban Studies from Trinity University in San Antonio. This interest propelled him into new areas of service beyond his life in the pulpit. During his working life, Bob was involved in local, state and national politics – marching for civil rights and other causes, organizing and running political campaigns, and helping to integrate schools and churches in the1960’s. His career spanned a wide variety of organizations, businesses, and state and local entities: the War on Poverty; as an urban planner and partner in L K Travis & Associates; the Phoenix Counseling Center; and the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. In 1983, Texas Governor Mark White appointed him Deputy Director and then Director of the Texas Department of Community Affairs, which he claimed was his “favorite job of all time”. He later worked at the General Land Office, at the Lower Colorado River Authority where he helped small Texas towns revitalize their local economy (another “favorite” job), and finally as a consultant for approximately 30 cities and counties across Texas. He also served as a City Councilman and Mayor of the the City of Leon Valley, TX. Bob lived a full and active life and cherished his family and friends who deeply loved him and will forever remember the example he set for a life well lived. Bob is survived by his wife Nancy Hesse Matthews Williams of Austin; and sons Michael and Sean Williams (Kelly), both of Austin; and Christopher Williams of Brooklyn, N.Y. In addition, he is survived by grandchildren Ian and Bryn Williams of Austin and Wyatt Williams of Brooklyn, N.Y. Also surviving Bob are stepchildren Lowell “Matt” Matthews (Patricia) of San Marcos and Nancy “Missy” Champine (Jeff) of Castle Pines, CO; seven step grandchildren; and nine step great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on March 1, 2025, at 2 pm at University United Methodist Church (UUMC), 2409 Guadalupe St., Austin. The family requests any donations in Bob’s memory be made to the UUMC Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Meals on Wheels of Central Texas, or the Austin Humane Society.

Bobbie D. Williams

February 9, 1936 - December 20, 2024