Robert Edward Williams

Mr. Robert Edward Williams, 70, of Cornelius NC died Sunday December 15, 2013 at Olde Knox Commons. Born September 13, 1943 in Greensburg, PA he was a son of the late James A. Williams and Florence Wilkinson Williams. He was a veteran of the US Marine Corp, a charter member of the Larson Marine Corps League and retired computer programmer with Bank of America. In 2000, Bob Williams and Russell Conley co-founded "The Lake Norman Raft-up". This gathering of local boats, rafted in flotilla form from side to side on Lake Norman was awarded the first Guinness Book of World Records designation for most boats tied together. In 2002, a total of 703 boats successfully tied together, with no break in the flotilla and earned the first of many official Certificates by the Guinness Book of World Records. The event grew in successive years to include thousands of boats and is a legend among boaters on Lake Norman and surrounding areas. Memorial Services will be conducted 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 21, 2013 in the Chapel of Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Saturday prior to the services at the funeral home. A celebration of Bob's Life will follow immediately after the Saturday service at the Rusty Rudder in Cornelius. All are welcome. Bob is survived by his wife, Gail Roberts Williams; sons, Timothy Williams and wife Stacey, Willie Williams and wife Barbie, Joe Williams and wife Jennifer all of Greensburg, PA; daughter, Nikki Hughes and husband Mitch of Greensburg, PA; stepdaughters, Beth Hernandez and husband Michael of Charlotte, Courtney Honeycutt and husband Blair of Mooresville; twelve grandchildren, five great grandchildren; sisters, Lois Williams Friedline, Mae Williams Johnson and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sisters ,Betty Williams Johnson, Mary Ann Williams Henderson; brothers James Williams Jr and Richard Williams. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Marine Corps League Detachment 1242, P.O. Box 88, Cornelius, NC 28031. Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home & Cremation Service Huntersville, NC is assisting the family, Friends may offer condolences to the family at www.raymerfh.com