Robert Warren Williams

Robert Warren Williams, 75, of rural Fall River, passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at his home near the shores of Fall River Lake. A man who felt most at home under an open sky, Robert spent his final years surrounded by the quiet beauty of the Kansas landscape he loved.

He was born on July 23, 1950, in Oberlin, Kansas, the son of Robert Whitney and Thelma Inez (Roberts) Williams. After spending his early years in Hoxie, the family moved to Haysville, where Robert attended Haysville High School. A gifted athlete, he was a rare four-time state finalist, earning three state runner-up finishes and a state championship before graduating with the Class of 1969. He continued his education and athletic pursuits playing football at Garden City Community College and later at Friends University on a football scholarship.

Robert’s professional life began at DeBruce Grain Elevator, continued with Vulcan Chemical, and later Gressell Oil for several years, before he completed his years of service at Stelbar Oil Corp. Following his retirement at age 63, he fully embraced his passion for the outdoors by taking backpacking trips through the rugged terrain of Wyoming, Colorado, and Washington. He later took a final, major road trip through the western United States before settling into his retirement at Fall River Lake. There, he spent his time fishing, playing darts, and enjoying the company of his son and granddaughter.

He was united in marriage to Patricia Stovall, a union that produced one son. He was later united in marriage to Patricia Ann Stout, and to this union, one son was born. Both marriages ended in divorce.

He is survived by his sons, Josh and wife, Michelle Gabriel of Prairie Village, KS; and Nathan Whitney Williams of Belle Plaine, KS; two granddaughters, Keegan Little and Sawyer Gabriel; and his nephew, Jesse Williams and wife, Pamela, and son, Caleb. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, James Richard Williams and Lucretia “Gayle” Williams.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at Koup Family Funeral Home, Eureka. Cremation has been effected.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Audubon of Kansas. Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, PO Box 595, Eureka KS 67045, which is overseeing arrangements. Condolences may be left for the family online, at koupfunerals.com.