Robert S. Nixon

Robert Sherman Nixon went home to be with his Lord and Savior on March 22, 2017. Services will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 25, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home with Rev. Barry Camp officiating. Burial will follow at Rosemound Cemetery. Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, March 24, in the Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. Robert was born September 4, 1926, in Baird, Texas, to Floyd Elmer Nixon and Josie Williams Nixon, the fourth of seven children. In August of 1944 he joined the Navy as a naval gunner and made two Pacific crossings, and was on one of the first ships into Japan after the bombing of Hiroshima. In March of 1946 he was discharged in Norman, Oklahoma, and returned to Waco. Robert attended 4-C Business College. On November 27, 1948, he married Juanita Mangum Nixon, and to this union were born three children, Nita Kay, Richard S., and Patricia Lynn. In 1950 he entered the fire department at James Connally Air Force Base, then went to the Dallas Fire Department in 1953, and to the Waco Fire Department in 1955. He retired in 1982 as a Lieutenant. He formed his own company in 1952, Nixon Siding Specialist. Robert was a Master Mason, member of the Waco Scottish Rite, and a member of the Karem Shrine Center. He was a charter member of TSHPA, State President in 1991, and Shriner of the Year in 1991. For years he was active on the entertainment and decorating committee, serving as chairman of the decorating committee from 1995 to 2002. He helped form the Karem Motor Patrol and served as Colonel from 2003 to 2008. Robert was a Boy Scout leader and president of the Knights of Columbus Pee Wee Football Association. He was a member of Western Heights Baptist Church. Robert was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, and was always involved in what his children and grandchildren did. Robert was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; four sisters, Dorothy, Edna, Ruth and a baby girl; one brother, Marvin; and son-in-law, Roger Shelton. He is survived by his three children, Nita Shelton, Richard Nixon and Patricia Nixon; daughter-in-law, Carrie Rusch; grandchildren, Jessica Nixon, Kellyn Nixon, Wesley Shelton and wife, Celicia, Randy Shelton, Melissa and husband, Shawn Smith, and Lane Ann and husband, Jeff Simmons; fifteen great grandchildren, Sanger, Summer, Sophie, John Paul, Maggie, Lilly, A.J., Molly, Harper, Rayan, Cooper, Jaxton, Jade, Coral, and Micah; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Pallbearers are Boyce Westmoreland, Doug Moore, Harold Patrick, Jason Cheney, Mack Patrick, and Ronald Jim Moore. Honorary pallbearers are Wesley and Randy Shelton, and the Karem Motor Patrol. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Shriners Children Hospitals. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.