William Edwards

Mr. William Robert "Bob" Edwards, 81, died Monday, December 21, 2009 at his residence on Gravel Hill Road in the Theta Community. Graveside services will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Godwin-Chappell Cemetery with Rev. Tommy Fox and Brother B.J. Ferguson officiating. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Directors are assisting the family with arrangements. Notes of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.oakesandnichols.com. The Davidson County native was the son of the late Sam Boyd Edwards and Cummie Sesler Edwards. He was a retired tree surgeon with the City of Chicago. Mr. Edwards attended Theta Baptist Church in Columbia. Survivors include his son, Michael (Susie) Edwards of Evansville, Indiana; two sisters, Martha Sparkman and Pauline Tinsley both of Columbia; two brothers, Marvin (Barbara) Edwards and Harry Edwards both of Columbia; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Katherine Foster, Elsie Mae Edwards; one brother, Roy Edwards; and a great-granddaughter, Lesley Dawn Carson. Pallbearers will be Ricky Edwards, Junior Edwards, Dwayne Sparkman, Ronnie Sparkman, Eddie Sparkman and Roger Tinsley. Honorary pallbearers will be Danny Tinsley, Gary Tinsley, Phil Tinsley, Billy Tinsley, Jason Edwards, Terry Edwards, Randy Sparkman, John Andrew Sparkman, members of Theta Baptist Church and the staff of Caris Healthcare.