Ralph A. Robertson

Ralph A. Robertson September 11, 1920 - August 31, 2010 Ralph A. Robertson of Waco, beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, was welcomed into Heaven from his home on Tuesday, August 31, 2010. There will be a celebration of his life at 3:00 p.m., Friday, September 3, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel with family friend, Tom Purdy, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be 6 - 8 p.m., Thursday, September 2, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. Ralph was born September 11, 1920, in Blum, TX, to Robert Milton Robertson and Rossie Lynn Assiter Robertson. He was a graduate of Blum High School. Ralph served with the 1330th Army-Air Forces Unit in the China-Burma-India Theater during WWII. He was stationed at Peter Williams Airstrip in Assam, India, and participated in the Battle of Imphal-Kohima, receiving two Bronze Stars for evacuating wounded under fire. By the time he had finished his military service after WWII, he had traveled around the world and was honorably discharged with the rank of Technical Sergeant. Ralph moved to Waco in 1947 and attended Baylor University. He married Beatrice Clark, the love of his life, on November 20, 1948, at Calvary Baptist Church in Waco. He worked at DeWitt Clark Lumber Co. and at Clark Concrete Co., of which he later became a co-owner. Ralph was a 50 year Mason, a 50 year Shriner, a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Sons of the Republic of Texas, and a member of the National Model Railroaders Assoc. Ralph's love for God, his family, and country were the focus of his life. He served as a deacon and usher at Calvary Baptist Church for many years. He and Beatrice adopted many Baylor students who attended Calvary, some of whom remain dear friends today. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Beatrice Robertson, in 2007; by his parents; his brother, Otis Robertson; his sister, Laura Deane McMahan; and his aunt, Frances Ellen Assiter. He is survived by his son, Clark and wife, Nancy, of Monterey, CA; and his daughter, Ruth Ann Turner and husband, Kent, of Trophy Club, TX; grandchildren, Kati Grow and husband, York; Rebecca Rumsey and husband, Chad; Scott, Chase and Ellen Turner; and great-grandchildren, Ethan, Nicholas, Timothy, Nathaniel, Marigrace and Andrew Grow, and Hanna, Thomas and A.J. Rumsey. Pallbearers are Chad Rumsey, Scott Turner, Chase Turner, Ken Burnette, Earl Holloway, John Linda and Knox Pittard. The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dara Jackson-Hawkins, Lula Hawkins, Marva Barnes, his long-time family physician, Dr. Gary Barbin and Providence Hospice. Memorials may be made to Providence Hospice or Calvary Baptist Church. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.