Robert "Bob" Michael Williams

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to many, Bob Williams passed away when his failing heart no longer allowed him to live the life he had always known. It was a beautiful life of hard work, love and adventure – with family first.

Bob was born at Merritt Hospital in Oakland, California, where his mother was staying with her parents until Bob’s father came home from World War II. But with his Santa Cruz connections, he grew up a proud fifth-generation Santa Cruz native.

Bob was the son of Vincent and Patricia Williams, and he always felt so fortunate that they were his parents. His maternal grandmother was the daughter of Patrick Morrissey who purchased the Morrissey property that extended from DeLaveaga Park to Water Street in Santa Cruz. It is now known as Morrissey Boulevard. Bob’s father Vincent was one of the original owners of Shopper’s Corner, and Bob was raised with an ethic of honesty, hard work and always taking care of family.

Bob attended Holy Cross Elementary and graduated from Santa Cruz High. Bob graduated from Fresno State University with a teaching degree in history, with a minor in Chinese history. His professor selected Bob to join a pilot exchange program with Taiwan and, after college, Bob lived there for 9 months.

Bob is survived by his wife and soulmate Ann Williams, with whom he shared 48 blessed years of marriage, his beloved son Scott Williams, who he had a special bond with, Scott’s partner Brittney Barrios, sister Kay Dobbertin, and granddaughter Derby Hart Williams, the light of his life. Derby brought immense pride and joy to Bob and they enjoyed a close and special relationship. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Bob was a mentor and surrogate father to several of Scott’s friends and they have all expressed great sorrow at his passing.

Bob and Ann traveled the world together – along with Scott from the time he was 5. In the last 10 years their travels to Mexico always included Scott and his family. These were the happiest of times.

Bob had a passion for Buddhism and journeyed to Bhutan on fifteen occasions to immerse himself in the country’s culture and his love for high-altitude trekking. He formed a longtime friendship with his first guide, Karma, and Bob encouraged him to start his own company – which is now the premier trekking company in Bhutan.

Karma is recognizing Bob’s death with the deeply spiritual act of lighting butter lamps at the Buddhist temple, and also to show gratitude for Bob’s peaceful passing.

Bob was the center of our family and will be forever remembered, loved and honored. On departing this life, he said to Ann and Scott, “Help as many people as you can.”

Be like Bob.