Edgar "Captain Bob" Peterson

Long-time Williams resident Edgar Bob Peterson, 86, died in his home on July 7th. Born in Los Angeles, March 12, 1925, Bob and his sister Helen, who preceded him in death, were raised by their grandparents.

After high school, Bob did just about anything to make a living. He even tried boxing for $5.00 a round while spectators bet on the winner. He joined the Navy, fought in the Pacific during World War II, and was in Tokyo Bay for the Japanese surrender. Bob was a member of the American Legion Post 50 where he would recall with his friends dozens of war stories with courage and camaraderie being a central theme.

Bob was married briefly after the war and had a son, Ronald. After living in Waldport, Oregon for a short time, he bought an old Navy launch, moved it to Long Beach, Ca. and made it into a home. He then moved to Williams in 1964 where Bob developed the corner of Cedar Flat and East Fork Rd. building the gas station and restaurant. Bob had a way with water, and was “the man” to see for installing pumps and irrigation systems around the Williams area.

His love of travel and adventure took him to Belize off and on for ten years, then on to Costa Rica, making money in the tourist business. Many people from Williams visited his property in Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica. He took his 60th trip there in 2008.

Bob was a friend to all, loved to help people and swap stories with those who could take the time to listen. He used to say, “all things happen for a reason – tragedy is just the other side of luck and good fortune.”

He is survived by his son, Ronald, of Williams; a granddaughter, Amber Shaw of Talent, Oregon and a grandson Robert Peterson of Williams.

He will be cremated and buried at sea.