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Worldwide missions mentor Dr. Robert Harold “Tex” Williams (’50), died Oct. 23, 2019, at age 91.

He was born July 7, 1924, in Austin, Texas, and graduated from high school there before enrolling in Texas A&M University. He transferred to ACU, where he was president of the student body and competed in track and field and in football, playing on the undefeated 1950 team.

Williams earned a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies, a Master of Missiology degree (1979) and received an honorary Doctor of Christian Service degree (1998), all from ACU. He was named recipient of his alma mater’s Distinguished Alumni Citation in 1992.

He served as minister in congregations in Brownwood, Austin and Abilene, Texas, and in Oakland, California. He worked more than four years for Boles Children’s Home (now Arms of Hope), where he met and married Mary Jane Williamson on June 10, 1955.

Tex and Mary Jane were missionaries in South Africa from 1957-71. He helped establish the Natal School of Preaching, Southern Africa Bible College, and missions work in Swaziland, Botswana and the kingdom of Lesotho.

He began working with Sunset Institutional Bible Institute in 1971, and was named founding chair of the Sunset School of Missions in 1981. In 1986 he moved Austin to begin work with World Bible School, including as president for nearly 20 years.

Among survivors are Mary Jane, his wife of 64 years; sons Charles “Rocky” Williams (’79), Stephen “Buck” Williams and Shawn Williams (’84); a daughter, Mary Kay; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

— Ron Hadfield

Nov. 4, 2019