National

Missouri duck boat's 'Captain Bob' had heart for homeless, veterans

Robert "Bob" Williams — who was an occupant of a duck boat that sank Thursday in Branson, Missouri — was working to establish a center that serves veterans and the homeless.

The Stone County Sheriff's Office on Friday confirmed Williams was among the 17 people who died in the tragedy.

Williams and his wife, Judith, were inaugural board members of the USA Veterans Hope Center in Springfield, Missouri.

The center has been raising money to buy a dormant college campus in Springfield.

"As our very first board members, Bob and Judy Williams have been a driving force behind the USA Veterans Hope Center," said Almer Jackson, the founder and CEO of the center. "They have faithfully provided mentorship and ministry through media to active military and institutionalized veterans, have organized ministry events for veterans, and have led as servant leaders, mentors, friends and life coaches to all."

Williams, who grew up in Alabama, moved to the Branson area after working for years in building maintenance at the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority. He formerly worked as a chauffeur at Branson Limousine & Executive Charter Inc.

"We love Bob. Bob was more than a board member, he was a friend, mentor and father and grandfather to our family," Jackson said in a news release. "He will be missed. We continue to rally around Judy and love her very much. We are broken-hearted but God is a heart fixer."

Reached by phone Saturday, Jackson said he met the Williams family at the Faith Life Church in Branson, where they were all members. They met in 2012 and a friendship quickly formed.

"He was one of the most wonderful people I've ever met. He was a Christian man. he was a lover of people," he said.

Jackson knew Williams — also known as "Captain Bob" — drove an amphibious vehicle for the Ride the Ducks attraction. But, he said Williams wasn't the type to talk about work or himself.

"He said he enjoyed it," he said.

In the hours after the accident on Thursday night, friends started to contact Jackson.

Jackson said he reached out to Bob's wife, Judith. She works at Sight & Sound Theatre in Branson.

"Immediately, I called his wife," he said. "She is doing as well as can be expected. She is strong but she is in a lot of pain. They were together all the time."

Jackson said the couple was committed to serving others, especially active duty military and veterans. "He had a heart for veterans even though he never served."

No funeral arrangements have been announced.

Jackson said he's trying to stay focused on happier times.

Asked how he'll remember Williams, Jackson said: "His smile — his zeal to be a blessing. That's what he lived for."

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