Robert Wayland Williams (1922 - 1997)

Born 21 Sep 1922 in Ottumwa, Wapello, Iowa, United States

Husband of Joan Roberta (Moore) Williams — married 18 Jul 1952 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States

Died 8 Sep 1997 at age 74 in Pasadena, Los Angeles, California, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: US Black Heritage Project WikiTree [send private message] and Gina Jarvi [send private message]

Robert W. Williams is a part of US Black history. Join: US Black Heritage Project Discuss: black_heritage

Biography

Robert W. Williams is Notable.

Robert W. Williams is considered the patriarch of the Tuskegee Airmen. He fought for the 100th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group. He is the original author of the script that became the Emmy Award winning film, The Tuskegee Airmen.^[1]

Robert Wayland Williams was born on 21 September 1922 in Ottumwa, Wapello, Iowa, United States to Herbert H. Williams & Bertha M. Barnett. ^[2]

In the 1930 census Robert (age 7) was the son of Henry Williams in Ottumwa, Wapello, Iowa, United States.^[3]

In the 1940 census Robert (age 17) was the single son of Henry Williams in Center Township, Wapello, Iowa, United States.^[4]

Military Service

Robert entered military service on 4 Dec 1942. He was honorably discharged on 2 Jan 1947. Robert applied for a World War II Service Compensation on 29 Aug 1949.^[5]

Williams received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Presidential Distinguished Unit Award, and the Achievement Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters.

Robert (age 29) married Joan R Moore on 18 July 1952 in Los Angeles, California, United States.^[6][7]

In September 1995, the widow of fellow Airman, Leonelle Bonam, provided an interview with the Hattiesburg American (Hattiesburg, Mississippi) detailing her husband's experience as a Tuskegee Airman. The article coincided with the release of the HBO film, The Tuskegee Airmen. ^[8]

Robert Williams died (age 74) on 8 September 1997 in Los Angeles, California, United States.^[9][10] Robert's burial details are unknown.^[11]

Sources

1. ↑ Wikipedia: Tuskegee Airmen
2. ↑ Birth: "Iowa, Delayed Birth Records, 1850-1939"
   citing Volume: 90-; Affiliate Name: State Historical Society of Iowa; Affiliate Film Number: 104141046; Digital film/folder number: 104141046
   FamilySearch Record: 6DPY-4QBM (accessed 11 November 2023)
   FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CSGV-1349-7 Image number 01358
   Robert Wayland Williams born on 21 Sep 1922, son of Herbert H. Williams & Bertha M. Barnett, in Ottumwa, Wapello, Iowa, United States.
3. ↑ 1930 Census: "United States Census, 1930"
   citing Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: T626; Line: 75; Digital film/folder number: 004950837; FHL microfilm: 2340420; Image number: 1010; Sheet number: 3; Sheet letter: B; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: N03796-2
   FamilySearch Record: XMKW-2NZ (accessed 11 November 2023)
   FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GR4K-KLH
   Robert W Williams (7), single son, in household of Henry Williams (30) in Ottumwa, Wapello, Iowa, United States. Born in Iowa.
4. ↑ 1940 Census: "United States Census, 1940"
   citing Affiliate Publication Number: T627; Line: 28; Digital film/folder number: 005461610; Image number: 908; Sheet number: 11; Sheet letter: A
   FamilySearch Record: KM1S-9M6 (accessed 11 November 2023)
   FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-L9M1-J7GY
   Robert Williams (17), single son, in household of Henry Williams (40) in Center Township, Wapello, Iowa, United States. Born in Iowa.
5. ↑ Military:"Iowa, U.S., World War II Bonus Case Files, 1947-1954"
   Original data: WWII Bonus Case Files. State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8825 #44347 (accessed 11 November 2023)
   Birth Place: Ottumwa, Iowa; Name: Robert Wayland Williams; Birth Date: 21 Sep 1922; Application Date: 29 Aug 1949; Application Place: Ottumwa, Iowa, USA.
6. ↑ Marriage: "California, U.S., Marriage Index, 1949-1959"
   Original data: California Department of Health and Welfare. California Vital Records—Vitalsearch
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 5186 #96186 (accessed 11 November 2023)
   Robert W Williams (29) marriage to Joan R Moore on 18 Jul 1952 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
7. ↑ Marriage: "California, County Marriages, 1850-1953"
   citing Page: 209; Digital film/folder number: 005686323; FHL microfilm: 1283810; Image number: 737
   FamilySearch Record: K86M-XT4 (accessed 15 November 2023)
   FamilySearch Image: 3QSQ-G93H-7V3R
   Robert Wayland Williams (29) marriage to Joan Roberta Moore (20) on 18 Jul 1952 in Los Angeles, California, United States.
8. ↑ 1995 Newspaper: "Newspapers.com"
   Hattiesburg American (Hattiesburg, Mississippi) Mon, Sep 18, 1995, page 6
   Newspapers Clip: 13811754 (accessed 11 November 2023)
9. ↑ Death: "California Death Index, 1940-1997"
   FamilySearch Record: VP2H-GZR (accessed 11 November 2023)
   Robert W Williams death 8 Sep 1997 (born 21 Sep 1922), son of Barnett, in Los Angeles, California, United States.
10. ↑ Death: "United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007"
    citing Digital film/folder number: DI0001099
    FamilySearch Record: 6KW9-J39F (accessed 11 November 2023)
    Robert Wayland Williams death 8 Sep 1997 (born 21 Sep 1922).
11. ↑ Memorial:Find a Grave (has image)
    Find A Grave: Memorial #209512968 (accessed 11 November 2023)
    Memorial page for Robert W Williams (21 Sep 1922-8 Sep 1997); Maintained by Bruce Weirauch (contributor 47898263).

• Obituary: L.A. Times Obituary
• Robert W. Williams, 332 Fighter Group - Medals