R. A. Williams Dead.
Prominent Ripley Newspaper Man, Politician, Promoter and Christian Worker Passes Away

"Ripley, Tenn. May 11, 1908. Hon. R. A. Williams died at his home in this city late yesterday afternoon. He was one of the editors of the Lauderdale County Enterprise, but did not like the newspaper business and sold out. For six years he was clerk and master of the chancery court and resigned this position to accept the Cashiership of the Lauderdale County Bank which was organized in 1900, and which position he held at the time of his death. For three terms he was Mayor of Ripley, and member of the County Court a number of years. He represented Lauderdale County in the lower house of the General Assembly in 1895, and was delegate to the National Democratic Convention in Chicago in 1896.

Mr. Williams was the promoter of many enterprises for the upbuilding of Ripley, the most notable ones being the Ripley Oil Mills, Lauderdale County Gin Company, the Farmers and Merchants Milling Company and others. At the time of his death he was President of the Board of Education, and in memory of (the) deceased, Professor McLeod suspended school this afternoon.

The funeral was held at the Methodist Church at 3 o'clock and all places of business were closed during the services. He was a great church worker and a teacher in the Methodist Sunday School. He was a member of the Odd Fellows, Maccabees, and K. of P. His remains were laid to rest in Maplewood Cemetery with honors of the lodges to which he belonged. Dr. Warner Moore conducted the services at the church."

Robert A. Williams was married to the former Emily E. Pitts, and father to three sons and four daughters, of which son Max C. Williams was a partner in the firm Williams, Dunavant and Rice and son L. A. took over his father's position as Cashier of Lauderdale County Bank. Robert A. Williams was the son of David and Elvyann Manery Walker Williams. He was a brother to Mary Jane Williams (Mrs. Wm. C. Brown), Benjamin Williams, Francis A. Williams (Mrs. James R. Jenkins), Eliza Verlie Williams (Mrs. John T. Martin), Phredonia W. Williams ((Mrs. Robert W. Burks), Martha Harriett Williams (Mrs. John R. McGaughey), Ellen Louise Williams (Mrs. Eli Martin), and Cornelia B. Williams (Mrs. William Cornelius Burks). He died at the age of 50 of Bright's Disease complicated by the sudden onset of typhoid fever.