Robert Forest Williams

Robert Forest Williams passed away at home in Orem, Utah on 1 April 2024. He was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in 2020 and faced the illness with great courage, faith, and kindness. He was born on 24 April 1946, the oldest child of Willard Forest Williams and Damaris Louise Robbins. He was born in Corvallis, Oregon but raised in many locations including California, Indiana, Virginia, Oklahoma, and Texas. He was affectionally known as "Dr. Bob" to his clients, friends, and Blues brothers. 

As a child, he showed strong academic abilities. He always performed well in school and was frequently chosen as "Best Citizen" in elementary school. After graduating from Monterrey High School in Lubbock Texas, he attended Brigham Young University where he graduated with honors and was selected for Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. He attended Northwestern University in Illinois and earned a PhD in Clinical Psychology. He enlisted as an officer in the USAF and was very proud of being a veteran. He completed an internship at Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base and was selected as Chief Intern. Following his service in the military he was chosen for a post-doctoral fellowship at Indiana University School of Medicine and Hospitals. He specialized in psychotherapy with children and families. He worked in many different settings, including clinical director of a community health center, director of a youth inpatient hospital, and he was elected as the President of The Four Corners Mental Health Association. His favorite position was private practice at Child and Family Psychology in Orem. 

He had a profound love for little children. During his young adult years, he married his first wife and from that marriage he was blessed with six children, Robert Forest II, Erika, Wendy, Evan, Gregory, and Carrie. He was always very proud of his children. He loved to sing them lullabies at bedtime while playing his guitar. When they were older, he loved to sing around the piano with his children. He was a master at "Dad jokes". 

He married Marleen Eggett Krzymowski on 16 June 1990 in the Provo LDS temple. They enjoyed thirty-three wonderful years together. They were a great source of happiness. comfort and growth for each other. She took care of him throughout his illness. 

He had a deep conviction of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His natural leadership abilities were frequently used to serve others, his church and God. He served in many leadership positions including as a Bishop, Bishop's Counselor, Stake High Council member and as a Branch President in a German Speaking Branch in Kaiserslautern, Germany. He also served as a Young Men's Leader and High Priest Group Leader. His favorite assignment was teaching Gospel Doctrine Classes. He never turned down an opportunity to serve others.

Bob was blessed with a beautiful baritone voice. He was frequently a soloist for special church programs and loved to sing in the church choir. His deep, soulful voice touched others. He was a natural musician and played the guitar and the Blues harp (harmonica). He loved to play the blues with bands from the Angelus Theater in Spanish Fork. He also played in various venues and events on the Wasatch Front. 

Bob loved hiking in the mountains. He was happiest and most at peace when he was hiking in the mountains with his wife and his dog. He hiked in Europe, Hawaii, Oregon, Colorado, New Mexico, Alaska, and many other places, but his favorite place to hike was in Utah. His soul was connected to the mountains and outdoors. It was there that he felt most at peace. 

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his son Gregory, who died in infancy. He is survived by his wife, Marleen; his five children Robb (Kaysville Utah), Erika (Highland Park Colorado), Wendy (Carbondale, Colorado) Evan (Springfield, Virginia} and Carrie (Tampa, Florida); twelve grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by siblings Gary Williams, Christine Carr, Bruce Williams, and Lynda Worthington. 

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 13^th at 11:00 am at the Hillcrest 8th ward chapel, 1035 South 800 East, Orem, UT 84097. Friends and family may also call at the viewing on Friday, April 12^th from 6:00 -8:00 pm at the Wheeler and Sundberg Funeral Home, 495 South State Street, Orem UT 84057, or Saturday, April 13, from 9:30-10:30 pm at the Hillcrest 8th ward chapel. 

A special thanks to lntermountain Hospice and Homecare and Senior Partners for excellent, compassionate and professional care during Bob's illness. 

Interment will be at the East Lawn Cemetery in Provo, Utah. Following a dedicatory prayer and military honors, there will be a "New Orleans's Send Off" by local musicians and friends of Bob.