11/04/2025
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Robert "Bob" McWilliam, a long time member, former President and Trustee of the St. Andrew's Society of the City of Milwaukee. Bob made a huge impact on the Scottish Community in Wisconsin and the world. We can all thank him for his dedicated work and advocacy that resulted in the creation of the Wisconsin Tartan.
For those members who never had the pleasure to meet or work with Bob, this is Bob we all knew in the our society (taken from his obituary):
"One of Bob’s great passions was in his Scottish Heritage. This passion was instilled in him by his Aunt Grace, who raised Bob and his brother, Tom. She was very proud of their Scottish heritage and made Bob and Tom feel the same way.
He became involved in the Scottish American community in 1970 serving on many Scottish American organizations over the years such as the Caledonian Foundation USA (President and Trustee), Scottish Coalition US (President, and founding member), Council of Scottish Clans (President), Scottish Heritage USA, Clan Donald USA, Clan Donald Foundation, Milwaukee St Andrews Society (President, Trustee, and recipient of the societies Founders Award), Milwaukee Highland Games (Chairman of the Board), Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, National Trust of Scotland and the Clan Donald Land Trust, Montreal Beaver Club in Montreal Canada (Honorary Wintering Partner).
Bob was granted a personal coat of Scottish arms by Scotland’s Lord Lyon, King of Arms for “Service to Scotland and Scottish Culture”.
In 2008, an official Wisconsin State Tartan was passed by both houses of the state legislature and signed into law by the Governor. Bob and Dr Phil Smith (friend and world authority in tartan weaving) are the originators and designers of the Tartan. Brown for the fur trade, Grey for lead mining, Green for the lumber industry and Wisconsin’s great pine forest, Blue for the two Great Lakes bordering Wisconsin and the state’s maritime trade and commercial and recreational fishing industries, Yellow represents both the dairy and brewing industries, Red represents the University of Wisconsin system and its contributions in providing research and development resources to further state-based industries.
Bob had the privilege of being invited by the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs to speak in the debating chambers of Scottish Parliament at the 2009 International Clan Gathering in Edinburgh. He was introduced to the then Prince Charles (Now King Charles) at the Prince’s reception aft er the forum.
Another big highlight in Bob’s Scottish endeavors was as a member on the Clan Donald USA’s 1993 crew of 13 that rowed and sailed the Aileach, an open deck 40 ft replica of a Scottish Berlinn from Armadale, Skye down the West coast of Scotland, through the Inner Hebrides, and then up the river Clyde to the center of the city of Glasgow, commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Forfeiiture of the Lordship of the Isles.
In 2003, His Royal Highness, The Grand Master, Don Francisco de Borbon y Escasany, Duke of Seville bestowed up him the dignity of Knight of Grace in the Military and Hospital Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem. In 2013, The Sovereign Military Order of the Knights of the Temple of Jerusalem (The Templars) conferred upon Bob the dignity of the Knight’s Grand Cross for his work in their Order."
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Visitation will be held on
Friday, November 7, 2025,
from 11:00AM to 12:45PM,
at St. Monica Catholic Church
5681 N Santa Monica Blvd,
Whitefish Bay, WI, 53217.
Eulogies and Mass of Christian Burial
will take place from 12:45 to 2:00PM.
The eulogies and Mass will also be live-streamed.
See obituary for link.
Please keep the McWilliam family in your thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.
Please click on the link in the comments to read the complete obituary for one of the great champions of the St. Andrew's Society of the City of Milwaukee.
