Robert Reed Williams

Robert “Chic” Reed Williams, 86, of Clear Lake, 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.

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, Col.; Sarah (Jennifer) Williams of Prairie Village, Kans.; Carman Brouwer of Evansdale; 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 Van Slyke funeral home in Clear Lake on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 from 4 – 6 p.m. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Clear Lake.

Burial will be in Rock Prairie Cemetery in Pleasant Hope, Mo. over Father’s Day weekend.