April 2 2014

Gents, I am saddened to report the death of our comrade Robert Williams of New Orleans. He was 65.

Those of you who knew him and served with him in the old regiment will remember him as a gentleman of the old school and a good trooper in the field.
He joined the 2nd Maine early in '64 coming from Starrs Battery.
He served in Vietnam as a corporal in the field artillery. He joined the National Guard, receiving a commission.
While there, he commanded the famous Washington Artillery. Later, he joined the Army Reserves and went to Iraq where he won the Bronze Star and a second award of the Combat Infantry Badge.
He retired with the rank of colonel.

In his civilian life, he served in the New Orleans Police Dept., rising from volunteer auxiliary to senior captain. He is survived by his wife Mary, who brought honor to the unit with her work as a researcher of civilian clothing and her participation in events with us. His brother-in-law Buddy Wethern served with D company as a corporal. Robert's father-in-law was our engineer.

Robert was my oldest friend. We had many good years and many adventures together. He was my roommate at East Tennessee State and I was his best man at his wedding. He was truly my brother.

Stevens D Bunker
He will be interred at Arlington later this spring and I will be there. You might want to leave a note for Mary at WWW.Lakelawnmetairie.com.

Here is a photo of him at age 16, when he joined the 2nd Maine.