Until succumbing to lung cancer in 2010, Robert Williams used to love to golf with his buddies in Tarboro.

Back in the day, they were known as the Branch Street Bombers.

His legacy lives on in the form of a benefit golf tournament that is being revived again this year.

The third annual Robert Williams Memorial Golf Tournament is scheduled for Aug. 18 at The Links at Cotton Valley in Tarboro at 2681 N.C. 258 South.

Entry fees for the four-man superball tournament are $50 per player. Hole sponsorships are $50. The event also will include raffles and a $7 barbecue chicken plate.

Last year, 46 golfers participated in the second annual Robert Williams Golf Tournament at Hilma Country Club.

Friends and family gathered to remember Williams and to raise money for the Creekmore family to help them in their fight against cancer. More than 100 people attended the event, which raised more than $3,000 for the Creekmore family.

The first tournament was held in 2010 by Williams’ friends to help his wife, Sheila, with her finances.

The first tournament raised several thousand dollars to help her pay Robert’s medical bills, which were more than $300,000.

Sheila, who was married for 32 years to Robert, decided to pick up where Robert’s friends left off last year and organized the second annual benefit tournament in her late husband’s name to help other families struggling financially due to cancer.

“I along with my family and friends, are excited to continue the tradition of remembering my husband Robert, and also to pay it forward and try to help and support another family struggling in the cancer fight,” she said.

This year, the proceeds from the tournament schedule will help 28-year-old husband and father Michael Radford of Edgecombe County. The father of a 6-year-old has limited insurance and is undergoing treatment for advanced stage cancer.

At last year’s tournament, 12 golf teams competed against each other. Williams said she is hoping to have at least 20 teams competing this year.

She said she was hoping that golfers would register earlier for this year’s event than last year.

“We want to be more organized this year and have a head count (of golfers) and know what to expect,” Williams said.

Frank Cooke, who played golf with Robert Williams when he was alive, said the tournament is for a good cause.

He said he has fond memories of his days playing golf with his late friend.

“We had a lot of fun,” he said. “We also played a lot of softball.”

To register to play in the tournament or become a sponsor, contact Williams at 985-3520, Cooke at 544-0916 or Kelly Williams at 303-898-2061.