Robert “Chic” Reed Williams, 86, of Clear Lake, Iowa, passed away on
March 26, 2025 with his daughters there to see him off on his next
adventure.
Born on October 12, 1938, in Fair Grove, Missouri, Bob was the youngest
of eight children born to Alvin and Vera (Hollis) Williams. He took pride in
growing up on a dairy farm, where he formed a deep connection with his
siblings and the land, learning the value of hard work and fostering his
lifelong love of gardening.
After graduating from Fair Grove High School, he began his career as a
fireman with the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway (M&StL) and spent the
rest of his career at Alexander Manufacturing in Mason City, Iowa.
Always true to his country roots, bluegrass and country music were the
soundtrack to his life – he was always up for a good yodel or to dance a
little jig. In time, his long agonizing daughters grew to love the soundtrack
as well –they are still working on the grandkids. He had a “colorful” saying
for everything – some not fit to print. He was quick to hand out the
nicknames and he had quite a few himself. He loved a good joke, and his
contagious laugh was unmistakable – you always knew when “Laughing
Bob” was in the room. He generously shared that laughter with the many
people he felt blessed to count as friends and acquaintances (and probably
a lot of strangers too).
“Chickman” was the original girl-dad and was proud to be the father to six
daughters (all he dubbed with nicknames) – Laura Lou, Niecy, Susie,
Punky, Carmzeliter, and JoJo. He never felt the need for a son and taught
his daughters everything from sports and fishing to hauling firewood.
Hunting included morel mushrooms and asparagus and the occasional
mulberry, as the sight of dead pheasants sent them screaming. He
coached them in softball, golf, darts and pool, and he instilled in them a
love of nature. He toughened them up for the real world by making them
hold the flashlight “just right” for various projects. As much as he loved his
daughters – his 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren were the cherry
on top!
Bob was an amazing gardener, with a special talent for growing tomatoes
and kohlrabi. He planted a large garden every year and was always very
generous in sharing his harvest.
His love of nature was always evident. He enjoyed watching nature
documentaries and was a fountain of knowledge on anything relating to
plants and animals. He frequently ate wild berries, sometimes to the
bewilderment of onlookers, which always made him chuckle. At one time
he kept a red-tailed hawk as a pet, and he always fed the birds, raccoons,
squirrels, possums, and other creatures that visited his back porch. Every
year he took his family on a trek to the river for apples.
He is survived by his sister, Loria Staffen of Buffalo, MO; his daughters,
Laura Williams of Gardiner, MT; Denise (Scott) Roberts of Frisco, CO;
Sarah (Jennifer) Williams of Prairie Village, KS; Carman Brouwer of
Evansdale, IA; and Joanna (Mason) Ripley of Lee’s Summit, MO. He is
also survived by his 10 grandchildren: Andrew (Peggy), Duncan, Lilli,
Porter, Grace, Ana, Noah, Mari, Reece, Quinten and 4 great-grandchildren:
Marshall, Rory, Margot, & Reed; and multiple nieces and nephews he
loved.
“Chic” is reunited with his daughter, Barbara “Susie” Williams, his son-in-
law, Doug Brouwer, his parents and his siblings, Hollis, Wilbur, Gloria,
Buford “Doc”, Milda & Milburn.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends who were lucky enough
to know his laughter, his love, and his wisdom. We love you, Dad. Be
Good.
There will be a visitation at Ward-VanSlyke funeral home in Clear Lake on
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 from 4 pm – 6 pm. A funeral mass will be held on
Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 10:30 am at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in
Clear Lake, Iowa.
Burial will be in Rock Prairie Cemetery in Pleasant Hope, MO over Father’s
Day weekend.
