We celebrate the life of Bobby Nathaniel Williams who sadly “Left on the Morning Train” in his Raleigh, NC home the morning of March 6, 2020.

Bobby was born in Albany, GA July 31, 1932 to the late Robert Williams and Beaulah Williams. As a small child, Bobby and his family moved north to the Philadelphia area. Bobby was educated in the Philadelphia School system where he graduated from Benjamin Franklin HS in 1949. Soon after graduating, Bobby was called to duty and he served in the United States Army at Fort Bragg where he was a paratrooper.

After returning home from military duty, Bobby joined the workforce where he ultimately settled into a job working for clothing company, Botany 500, which explained all of the nice suits he wore to church. He was a hard worker during the week but during his weekends, Bobby loved spending time with his two brothers, Earl and Perry along with their friends, playing cards and socializing. It was at one of the social events where he met his future wife, Alice. Bobby and Alice fell in love and married July 25, 1992. Bobby was living a happy life surrounded by family and friends.

As Bobby progressed into his golden years, he and Alice decided to move south to Raleigh, NC where he settled into a more relaxed life. Bobby worked part-time for the NC Museum of History to stay active but he mostly enjoyed staying home with Alice and his grandson, Garis, with whom he had a special bond. They watched Westerns, Family Feud, and every episode of Sanford and Son ever made. On Sundays, Bobby really enjoyed attending church services at Lincolnville AME church where from his first day, he felt like family. He especially loved to listen to the Men’s Choir. When he became ill and could not attend church on a regular basis, the church family visited him at home often and brought the church to him.

Bobby lived a full life surrounded by the love of his family, friends and church family. He will be missed but we are grateful to God that he no longer has pain.

Bobby is survived by his loving and devoted wife who took care of his every need, Alicene Williams; his three loving children, Reginald Irby(Jackie), Pamela Franklin and Bobby Williams Jr(Rodnetta); his loving step-children, Randall Powell(Cristie), Phillip Powell(Susan) and Garnette Fussell; his loving sisters and brothers, Ella Blackshear, Eva M. Harris, Eleanor Goldsby, Vernon(Earl) Williams, Perry Williams(Barbara),Robyn Williams Hopkins, and Kristopher Williams; eighteen grandchildren; several great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephew and a host of friends.