Dr. Robert E. "Doc" Williams' Obituary
Dr. Robert E. “Doc” Williams, age 93 of Moline, KS, passed away December 27, 2022 at Eureka Nursing Center in Eureka, KS
Bob was born September 18, 1929 in Larned, KS to Ernest Lee and Dorothy Angeline (Burns) Williams. The family moved around a lot, as Bob’s dad worked for the WPA. They ended up in Elk City, OK, where Bob graduated from Elk City High School. He continued his education at Oklahoma A & M. He graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1953. This was the 3rd class to ever graduate from the Vet School.
It was while in college, Bob met a young lady named Beverly Hinkle. It happened to be on a double blind date when they met. His date for the evening was Beverly’s good friend Lometa and Beverly’s date for the evening was Roger, Bob’s friend and roommate. The twist in the story is that Bob ended up marrying Beverly and his friend Roger ended up marrying Lometa. They all stayed close, dear friends.
Bob and Beverly were married August 17, 1952 in Oklahoma City, OK, one year before he graduated Veterinary school. Soon after graduation, the couple packed up their car and moved to Moline, KS where they spent the next 69 years together, raising their 2 children and being a huge part of the Moline community. Bob had already purchased the vet practice of Dr. Bunyan before graduating. Doc Williams, as most knew him, would continue the practice for the next 46 years, retiring in 1999.
In his career Doc received numerous awards. He received the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association’s President’s Award in 1979, in 1982 he was the Kansas Veterinarian of the Year. He was also featured in Modern Veterinary Practice in 1965 detailing his forward approach on a 2 way vet clinic. This led to him being one of five featured clinics from the state of Kansas in a movie created about veterinary practices.
He also served on the State Board of Veterinary Examiners, giving state boards to graduating vet students, Livestock Sanitary Commission, Kansas State Veterinary Association where he served as president in 1975 and a member of the American Veterinary Association.
Bob was involved in many community activities. He was a member of the Elk County Rodeo Association for over 50 years, serving as president for a number of years, Moline School Board, Mayor of Moline, Lions Club, 4-H community club leader, Elk County Cattlemen and served as County Democratic Party Chairman. He was proud of his lifetime membership in the Oklahoma State University Alumni Association and his Honorary Kansas State University Alumni Association membership for the part he played in getting the new Vet School built in 1976.
Bob was a good husband, a wonderful dad, and a great friend to many. He will missed by everyone that knew him. Some will especially miss his hand cranked ice cream.
A special thank you to Reta Kill and Stephanie Henning for all they did as his at home care givers and to the staff at Eureka Nursing Center for all they did the last five months.
He is survived by his daughter, Julianne (Curtis) Willhite of Leon, KS, grandchildren, Nicole Williams, Dewey, OK and Reed (Eve) Williams of Moline, KS.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Beverly, son, Jim Williams, brother, Horace Lee Williams, and sister Mary Burns.
Funeral service to honor Bob will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, KS
Memorial contributions can be made to the Elk County Rodeo Association or Moline Baptist Church and can be mailed to or left with the funeral home.
Services entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, PO Box 1233, Howard, KS 67349
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