Robert Eugene Williams Jr., a retired Baltimore Civil Defense worker, died of cancer Thursday at his Stoneleigh home. He was 81.
Mr. Williams was born and raised in Waverly and was a 1944 graduate of Polytechnic Institute.
After serving in the Navy near the end of World War II, he went to work for the city water department before enrolling at Washington College.
In 1947, he went to work as an engineering officer for the city's Civil Defense Disaster Control Board. He retired in 1990.
The longtime Regester Avenue resident enjoyed teaching neighborhood children rhymes and quotes from William Shakespeare. He liked target shooting and attending the theater.
Mr. Williams who was a Civil War buff and enjoyed collecting guns and other memorabilia from the conflict, was also an accomplished gardener and woodworker.
He was a member, and former trustee and Sunday school teacher at Idlewylde United Methodist Church. Earlier, he had been a member and served on the board of St. John's United Methodist Church.
Mr. Williams was a member of Demolay and a Mason. He was a member of Blue Lodge, Scottish Rite, and Boumi Temple. He was also a member of the Maryland Historical Society and American Legion Post 183.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at his church, 1000 Regester Ave.
Surviving are his wife of 49 years, the former Patricia H. McGinnis; and a daughter, Pamela Lee Williams of Carney.