Robert J. ‘Bob’ Williams, Sr., 78, one of the most respected horsemen in harness racing, passed away on Tuesday, December 9.

Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on January 14, 1936, Williams is, perhaps, best known for driving Diamond Exchange to victory in the second edition of the World Trotting Derby in DuQuoin, Illinois in 1982.

He also was the author of the very first 1:55 trotting mile at the Meadowlands Racetrack with that same trotter the following season. But the career of Williams began several decades before that.

In 1942, at the age of six, he trained his first horse for his father, John Williams, and "soaking up knowledge about horses like a sponge" from his father and brother, Jack, he made his first appearance as a driver shortly after graduating high school in 1954.

He got the first of his 2,015 driving wins in 1957 at Jackson Raceway with Czar Volo and gained attention on a national stage when he drove the chestnut Poplar Sonny to a 2:00 win at Santa Anita in 1961.

His career got a big boost in the late 1950s when owner Peter Katona entrusted his entire stable to the 23-year-old Williams, and he took full advantage of the opportunity by becoming a leading driver-trainer, first, in Michigan and, then, Illinois and California.

Competing in an era when the 2:00 mile was sacred, by 1970, Williams was high up on the list of leading drivers of 2:00 performers – a list that included greats like Joe O'Brien, Frank Ervin, John Simpson Sr., Stanley Dancer, Del Miller, Billy Haughton, Curly Smart, George Sholty and Ralph Baldwin.

Highly sought as a catch-driver, Williams was successful in that regard with the great trotter Earl Laird and drove the outstanding pacer Best Of All during much of that campaigner's four-year-old season.

Several years ago, when asked about his favourite horses, he said, "Oh, my, there are so many of them...Rockette Forbes, Andy Anderson, Poplar Sonny, Jazz Admiral, Knox Patch, Torjon, Lenawee Creed, Scottys Colt, Easy Prom, Glad Rags, Sir Faffee, Philip Brian, Windy Way...they are all my favourites."

After retiring as a trainer-driver in the late 1980s, Williams became a paddock judge at Muskegon Raceway before becoming an associate judge at Toledo Raceway followed by a similar position at Pompano Park.

He was elected to the Florida USHWA Hall of Fame in 1999 with a similar honour in Michigan Harness Horseman's Hall of Fame in 2004.

Bob is survived by his wife of 47 years, Charlene, his son, Robert Williams Jr., daughters, Keya (Ken Morgan) and Krista (Don Harmon), a brother, Jack (Sally), a sister, Barbara (Mike Babka), six grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a grandson, R. J. III.

A memorial service is planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in the form of contributions to the Standardbred Retirement Fund and the Harness Horse Youth Foundation would be appreciated.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Bob Williams.

(Pompano Park)