Robert J. Bateman

Robert J. Bateman, 74, of Williams passed away Friday, November 8, 2013 at his home in Williams.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 12, 2013 from 5:00 until 8:00 PM at Clarion Church of Christ and continues one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday. 

Funeral services for Robert Bateman will be held Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at 11:00 AM at the Clarion Church of Christ, 420 North Main Street in Clarion with Pastor Warren Curry and Pastor Bob Henkelman officiating.  

Robert Jackson Bateman was born September 16, 1939 to Carlos and Birdie Mae (Eaves) Bateman in Shuqualak, Mississippi.

Robert began his lifelong career as an over-the-road truck driver at the age of 17, which lasted 42 years. During his time on the road Robert amassed 4,000,000 Safe Driving Miles as Company driver with Consolidated Freight Ways, Roadway, Dart and several others, including time spent in Saudi Arabia as a civilian contractor. He owned and operated his own trucks and trucking company and as an accomplished driver he shared his knowledge by teaching others to drive and operate a semi carefully and skillfully.

Robert was united in marriage with Cheryl LaRue in 1982 in Laurel, Mississippi and the couple made their home in several states over the years.  In October of 2011, the couple moved to Williams, where they currently reside.

Robert enjoyed drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes and listening to country music.  He was a genuine cowboy, having never been known to wear anything other than western shirts, blue jeans, cowboy boots and a Stetson cowboy hat.  He loved watching classic western movies, keeping up with the news and politics.

Robert was stubborn, determined, strong-willed and opinionated, gruff on the outside but had a very loving and generous heart.  He loved his children and grandchildren and would do almost anything for them at any time.

Robert is survived by his wife, Cheryl Bateman of Williams; children Michele (Gary) Mack of Webster City, Brian (Jeannie) Bateman of Watertown, Wisconsin, Kris (Nick) Rexroat of Webster City, Rochelle (Brett) Drews of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and Greg (Dawn) Obrecht of Webster City; 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; a brother Gullye (Vera) Bateman of Melbourne, Florida; along with numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Joyce Permenter, a brother Curtis Bateman, and two sisters and one brother in infancy.