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Doomed duck boat driver was former R.I. pastor, family members says

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The driver of a duck boat that capsized in Missouri, killing 17 people, was a former pastor in Rhode Island, a family member tells Boston 25 news.

Robert "Bob" Williams was driving the boat when it capsized in harsh waves stirred up by a fast moving line of thunderstorms Thursday night.

Williams' grandson, Victor Richardson, told CNN, "He was a God-fearing man; he was very humble. He was the calmest spirit you could ever meet."

Richardson said his grandfather was married to his wife Judy for more than 30 years.

"He'd talk to anybody," his widow told CNN by phone Friday. "He made an effect on many lives. He would give up his life for somebody. That's the kind of man Robert was, is."

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson says emergency responders and civilian rescuers helped prevent an even worse tragedy after a duck boat capsized on a lake and killed 17 people.

Parson spent Friday in the Branson area after the boat sank Thursday evening on Table Rock Lake amid high winds. He called the efforts of emergency responders and civilian rescuers "courageous" and said he was inspired by them.

He said people rushed in to help "in extremely dangerous conditions."

Parson met with Stone County Sheriff Doug Rader and others leading the recovery operation before visiting the Cox Medical Center in Branson to meet with survivors and medical personnel.

The governor pledged the support of all state resources to help in an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board and the U.S. Coast Guard.

MORE: 17 killed when duck boat capsizes on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, officials say

WPRI and The Associated Press Contributed to this report.