Robert W.Bob Whatley

WHATLEY, ROBERT Robert William Bob Whatley, age 71, of Waco passed away at this home, Friday morning, October 26, 2001. Services will be held at 10:30AM Monday, October 29th at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel, 1124 Washington Ave. with Pastor Bruce Austin of Bellmead First Baptist Church officiating and eulogies by Bob Gentry and Ken Willis. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Park. Mr. Whatley was born on April 18, 1930 in Austin. He attended Austin public schools, graduating from Austin High School. After a year in United States Marine Corp Reserves, he entered the regular Marine Corps undergoing training at MCRD in San Diego, at Camp Matthews in San Diego, and at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California. He obtained the rank of sergeant during his four years in the corps. During the time he was in the Marine Corps he became very active in the Presbyterian faith, was baptized and became a member of the Brooklyn Heights Presbyterian Church in California. After serving in the USMC, he attended one year in San Diego Junior College transferring to San Diego State College. He became a member of Epsilon Pi Tau and Kappa Delta Pi in Education. He also was the President of the Industrial Arts Club at San Diego State College. He graduated with honors receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. He also did graduate work at the University of Texas and Texas A & M. He was a teacher at Clairmont High School in San Diego for four years before returning to his native state of Texas. He was employed by the Texas Highway Department as a supervisor in the Cartography Division. In 1965 he returned to teaching as an instructor at the Job Corps Center for the Texas Education Foundation in San Marcos, Texas. He joined the administrative staff of the Curriculum Development Department and became Registrar in the Records Department. In 1970 he joined the Administrative Staff of Texas State Technical Institute as Manager of Registration and Records, retiring as Director in 1991. He was preceded in death by his father, James Willis Whatley, his mother; Ida May Wamer Whatley, his sister Mary Grider, brother Willis Whatley, and son David S. Tabor. He leaves behind his wife of 36 years, Barbara, daughter Sherry and husband, George Heck of Centrahoma, Oklahoma, daughter Denise and husband, Danny Roberson of Euless and daughter Diane and husband, Jeffrey Butler of Fort Worth. He also leaves behind sons, Scott Tabor and wife, Sissy of Euless and Steve Whatley and wife, Carissa of Mesquite, brother, John Whatley and wife, Glenda of Spicewood; sister-in-law, Judy Borchevsky of Waco and brother-in-law, Frank Bumer and wife, April of Silverspring, Maryland. He had ten wonderful grandchildren, Shannon Grigg, James Odie Heck, Leslie Tabor, Kaley Nimmons, Kelsi Roberson, Erin Tabor, Katelyn Roberson, and Darcy Jo Roberson, Jerri Zachary, and Ginger Crawford and great grandchild, Tyler Grigg. The family will be at 120 Spring Lake Dr., Waco, TX 76705. Pallbearers will be Charles Bates, Ken Ragle, Don Workman, Carl Kuhnle, George Elliott, and Gene McMaster. A year ago today God looked around his garden and found an empty place. He then looked down upon the earth and saw your tired face. He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest. God’s garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best. He knew that you were suffering; he knew that you were in pain. He knew that you would never get well on earth again. He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb, so he closed your weary eyelids and whispered, “Peace be Thine” It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn’t go alone, for part of us went with you the day God called you home. We love you. The family requests donations to the American Cancer Society in lieu of flowers. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY P.O. Box 272 Waco, TX 76701 254-753-3691 phone 254-741-9141 fax