First Posted: 3/1/2012

PEMBROKE — Pembroke Councilman Robert Williamson died at his home Wednesday — 23 days after being seated on the Town Council. The 67-year-old had been elected in November in his third campaign for a seat.

According to Williamson’s wife, Addie, he died about 1:15 a.m. He’d been battling cancer since being diagnosed in April, she said.

Addie Williamson said her husband, who served 20 years in the U.S. Navy, left his mark throughout the community. He was president of the American Veterans Post 317 in Pembroke, and legislative director for the North Carolina chapter. He was an active member of the Lumbee Warriors and Kiwanis of Pembroke.

Addie Williamson said her husband was the first white man elected to the Pembroke council.

“He has always wanted to be in a position where he could help the town of Pembroke and the people in the town of Pembroke,” she said. “He thinks highly of the people in Pembroke and he wanted to run for the office so he could help make Pembroke the best place it could be.”

According to interim Town Manager Marie Moore, the council will appoint someone to fill Williamson’s seat. It was unclear this morning if the person appointed would serve the balance of the four-year term, or if a special election would be held at some point.

Before the municipal elections in November, Williamson told The Robesonian that he began going to the council meetings a week after moving to Pembroke. During those eight years, he said he missed six meetings. He often submitted letters to the editor to The Robesonian concerning affairs that affected the town.

The swearing-in of Williamson and Councilman Ryan Sampson was delayed by an appeal by Larry McNeill, who lost his re-election bid in November. The appeal was dismissed, and the councilmen were sworn in at the council’s Feb. 6 meeting.

“He was very sad that it took so long to get to that point,” Addie Williamson said. “He really was thinking twice about even accepting it at that point, because of the fact he knew he was sick and he knew there was not a long time left. We didn’t realize it was gonna be quite as fast as it was.”

Addie Williamson said her husband was urged by fellow councilmen and friends to be seated on the council.

“The fact that he was on there kind of pushed him to stay with us a little bit longer than he did because that encouraged him,” she said.

Councilman Allen Dial said he spoke with Williamson on Tuesday.

“He was aware he was in serious condition. He said he probably would not be able to make it to the meeting Monday,” Dial said. “… He was hoping that he’d be able to serve for a long time.”

McNeill, who lost to Williamson by a handful of votes, praised him as being civic minded.

“He always cared about the town and what the town was doing, the decision-making,” McNeill said. “I think he really, really cared about the town. He cared for the people. He really cared for the citizens of Pembroke. … I pray for the family, that the Lord will lead them to help them through their tragedy and time of sorrow.”

Addie Williamson said her husband will be remembered as “a man of integrity” who was friendly and non-judgmental.

“He was a man that I respected,” she said. “And I tell you, getting respect from me, it’s a hard thing to do.”

A complete obituary on Williamson can be found in today’s edition of The Robesonian.