Dr. Robert E. Williford, Jr.

Dr. Robert Earl Williford passed away peacefully on Friday, June 21, 2024, at his residence.

Bob was born on April 7, 1929, in Sampson County, North Carolina to Robert Earl Williford, Sr., and Mable McDaniel Williford Darden.  He attended Wake Forest College when it was located in the town by that name. There he made friends with Arnold Palmer, among many others, graduating in 1951.  Wake Forest University later wrote an article acknowledging that soon after his graduation, it was Bob Williford that gathered the seeds from the magnolias on the old Wake Forest campus which were carried by his Aunt Monnie Louise Wiley to be planted on the new Wake Forest University campus in Winston-Salem. They grew to become the renowned trees in Magnolia Court behind Reynolda Hall.

After attended Medical School at Emory University graduating in 1955, Bob did his Internship at Virginia Commonwealth University in 1955-56. He served in the US Marines stationed in Camp Pendleton, and thereafter performed his Residency in Internal Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine in 1958-59. Bob then practiced General Family Medicine in Asheboro where he cared for countless patients in his clinic for many decades.

Bob lived an exciting life. He loved women, his dogs, cars, and Wake Forest University!  He was an avid Wake Forest sports fan. He touched the lives of so many people. He was much loved and left the world a much better place because of his presence.

Bob is survived by his caring companion, Sherrie Dunn of Asheboro; daughters, Katherine W. Yates and husband Dr., Mark Yates, Peggy D. Williford and companion Deb Crater, all of Greensboro; grandchildren, Charlie Yates and wife Melissa, John Yates and wife Emily; great-grandchild, Claire Yates; sisters, Martha W. Zollicoffer and husband John of Henderson, Marianna W. McCauley and husband Albert of Fayetteville and Wilmington, NC; together with several nieces and nephews.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, June 27, 2024, at Ridge Funeral Home, Asheboro.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Randolph, 416 Vision Drive, Asheboro, NC 27203; AMVETS Post 905, 142 Academy Street, Asheboro, NC 27203; or the charily of the donor's choice.