Robert “Bob” (Tinker) Dean Williams
Robert “Bob” (Tinker) Dean Williams, 80, Worthington, passed away on May 27, 2020, at the Hospice of Murray County after a battle with brain cancer. He was born October 7, 1939, in Sodus Township, Lyon County, Minn., to Darvin and Leah Williams.
Bob grew up and attended school in Amiret and Tracy, Minn. He met Gillaine “Jill” Jensen in 1957 at the Tracy swimming pool. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, Walnut Grove, and joined the church in 1957. He married Jill on August 2, 1959; they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2019. In 1962 he joined American Lutheran Church, Worthington.
Bob started working at a very young age at the Williams Service Station in Amiret. In 1959 he took over ownership of Williams Service Station; in 1962 he moved his family to Worthington. Bob then joined the team at Welder’s Supply. In 1966 he started Wheel Camping Sales with Dale Molitor. In 1969 he bought out his partner and continued his ownership for 43 1/2 years, retiring in 2009. He loved working at the shop, selling and servicing all makes and models of campers, RV’s, boats, motors, snowmobiles and mobile homes. After retirement, he rented a lakefront site at Schreier’s Campground on Lake Shetek and spent every weekend he could there.
Bob loved people and enjoyed being with his family and friends. In 1960 he purchased his first boat and weekends were spent on the water boating and skiing at Lake Shetek. His passions were driving his racecar at Slayton and Camden, camping, boating, snowmobiling and waterskiing. His biggest thrill came when he could ride the saucer, sitting on a chair, drinking a beer and smoking his cigarette while being pulled by his boat. He also loved slalom skiing off the dock, spraying the beach with water and jumping out of his ski without getting wet. Bob loved teaching his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren how to water ski, using the zip sled and the surf board. He loved pulling seven to eight skiers behind his boat at one time, the more the merrier.
His grandchildren and great-grandchildren—including their activities and accomplishments—were his greatest joy.
Bob is survived by his wife, Jill Williams; daughter, Shelley (Denny) Stofferan; daughter, Mitzi (Scott) Goheen; son, Scott (Tammy) Williams; daughter, Kay (Mark) Prunty; 10 grandchildren: Kirstin Stofferan, Nicholas Williams, Megan Maas, Kyle Doss, Maranda Hernandez, Brittni Stofferan, Alyssa Stofferan, Mitchel Goheen, Jacob Prunty and McKenna Prunty; nine great-grandchildren: Mason Koster, Jaxson Koster, Jaelyn Doss, Bryson Koster, Gabriel Hernandez, Adelynn Maas, Janessa Doss, Sophia Hernandez and Quinnley Maas; siblings: Janet “Cookie” West and Debra Galvin; and numerous extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers-in-law Larry Walterman, Walt Olson, David West and GE Jensen; and sisters-in-law Gloria Olson Proctor and Carol Jensen.
Graveside services will be held Tuesday, June 2, 2020, at 1 pm at the Memory Gardens of Worthington. Visitation will be held at 12:30 pm preceding the service, practicing social distance. Attendees may want to bring a portable chair for the short service.
Benson Funeral Home in Worthington is in charge of the arrangements.