by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Robert J. (Bob) Williams Sr., 78, one of the most respected horsemen in harness racing, died Dec. 9, 2014.

Born in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Jan. 14, 1936, Mr. Williams is, perhaps, best known for driving Diamond Exchange to victory in the second edition of the World Trotting Derby in Du Quoin, Ill., in 1982. He also was the author of the very first 1:55 trotting mile at the Meadowlands with that same trotter the following season.

But the career of Bob 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, Mr. 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 4-year-old season.

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

“One of my great disappointments was when Bobby retired from driving,” said USTA president Phil Langley. “He was missed greatly by fans and horsemen alike. His total wins don’t come close to reflecting his ability. How lucky the Midwest was to have Bob, Bob Farrington, Joe Marsh and Jim Dennis competing nightly.”

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

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

Mr. Williams is survived by his wife of 47 years, Charlene; son, Robert Jr.; daughters, Keya (Ken) Morgan and Krista (Don) Harmon; brother, Jack (Sally); 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, memorial contributions may be made to the Standardbred Retirement Fund and the Harness Horse Youth Foundation.