Video: Remembering the Life and Legacy of Uncle Bunky

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — He was born Robert Williams on August 8, 1932.

To us, he was always Uncle Bunky.

Bunky became a staple for kids and families in North Mississippi all the way back in 1958, when he got the call to start a children’s show on WCBI-TV.

The rest, as they say, is history. But history barely scratches the surface of the life and legacy left by our pal Uncle Bunky.

For 18 years and 60 minutes a day, 5 days a week, with 12 kids in the audience…Uncle Bunky would draw crazy animals for kids of all ages.

Alligators, foxes, rabbits, kitty-cats: you name it, Bunky drew it. And always with a smile.

Many years after his time at WCBI, he continued to draw for kids in the area, even during his years when he worked at the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department.

No matter what, when or where, Bunky was ready with a pen and paper to draw for kids, and yes…always with a smile.

Up until his passing, he was still drawing crazy animals. It was his life’s work and what he loved tod.

But nothing could come close to the passion he had for his family, his loving and caring wife Joyce, and of course…sports.

Walking through his man cave at his home in Columbus is like taking a walk through sports history, most notably with his favorite team…the Chicago Cubs.

Bunky never did get a chance to see his beloved Cubs win it all, nor did he get to see them play at Wrigley Field…but maybe, just maybe….he will get to see them go all the way with the best seat in the house…sitting next to Ron Santo and Ernie Banks up in heaven this year.

Over 152,000 people on our WCBI News facebook page have been reached with our story on Bunky’s passing, with hundreds of comments remembering the good times and the “Fun Time” shared with our dear friend. But truly trying to quantify the lives changed with Bunky’s presence is impossible…

It is hard to put into words how much Uncle Bunky meant to us, but for 83 years he was put on this Earth to delight and put a smile on any person’s face he happened to meet.

So it’s not good-bye, but it’s farewell for now to our beloved friend and companion.

Better yet, it’s a “see you later, alligator” to our favorite uncle of Mississippi.