From mural artist to Vietnam War veteran, Robert (Bob) Williams has served the Boyertown community since 1968. Williams’s military service and BEAR artwork have shaped our community into the welcoming and imaginative place we know and love today.

Bob Williams was one of the most talented artists during his high school career at Boyertown. His passion led to his attendance at the Philadelphia College of Art, where he majored in Illustration. 

During his time in college, Williams’s father, Louis J. Williams, a World War II veteran, inspired Bob to enlist in the military. In 1968, Bob set off to California to begin his first of two boot camps.

Williams was stationed in the Da Nang Press Center, where he worked on physical drawings and also worked cameras. His drawings highlighted the hard work of the soldiers’ and the life of the Vietnamese during wartime.

After years of resilience and determination, Williams retired from the military in 1970. He returned to his hometown of Gilbertsville, PA, and continued his passion for art.

One of his first projects post-war was a mural for an Italian restaurant in Allentown, PA. On that mural, he put his name and phone number, and instantly got lots of more painting opportunities.

Of all his paintings the one that may stick out to people is the large, vintage one on the wall of the State Theatre in Boyertown. It was created in 2006 in collaboration with Bob and students from BASH.

In 2005, Bear Fever began across Boyertown. This was when the iconic, unique bear statues were placed around town, each bear having its own personality. While Williams did not establish this program, he played a vital role in bringing these bears to life.

Williams was contacted by the founders of the program, Jane and Paul Stahl, and was asked to help create ideas and paint the bears. He joyfully accepted this offer, marking the beginning of Boyertown’s most iconic feature.

Today, Bob and his wife, Sandra, live in Gilbertsville, PA. While he and his wife have stayed local, Bob’s artwork has travelled across North America, reaching all the way to Montreal, Arizona, Maine, and Florida. Although he is currently suffering from Parkinson’s Disease due to war factors, he does not let it impact his passion for painting. 

His legacy lives on in BASH, as there is a plaque with his name on it, honoring his hard work and dedication in the Vietnam War.

From war veteran to well-known local artist, Bob Williams has had an outstanding impact on his community, and Boyertown is proud to have such a remarkable person in the area.