Much loved husband of Martha, proud father of Teresa and Robby, grandfather of Lenny and Richard, greatgrandfather of Sophie, Van and Richard Jace Jr. passed on May 9, 2012.
Robert Bob W. White, Sr., was born in Miami, Florida to the late Robert E and Eula Payne White, October 23, 1943. He lived in South Carolina and the Panama Canal Zone before joining the US Army at 15 years of age. He served one year in the US Armys 45th Infantry Division before being discharged as too young to enlist. Bob joined the US Air Force in 1952. He was transferred from South Carolina to Altus Air Force Base, Altus, Oklahoma where he met his future bride Martha Skillman in front of the Gate City Ice Cream shop. Bob and Martha were united in marriage December 18, 1953 and were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Teresa, just one year later. In 1964, they were blessed with their second child, their handsome son Robert Robby Jr.
Bob served his country overseas in Japan, Korea, Morocco, and the Panama Canal Zone along with being stationed in Alaska and stateside in South Carolina, South Dakota, Oklahoma and Texas. He served in the USAF for 30 years, earning several awards and accommodations prior to retiring at the age of 45 as Chief Master Sergeant and First Sergeant of CES Civil Engineering Squadron at Dyess AFB, Abilene, Texas where he and his family remained.
In 1963, the great sport of bowling became part of Bobs life. He served as Director, Secretary and President of Ellsworth Air Force Base Bowling Association, South Dakota and the Panama Canal Zone Bowling Association along with owning and operating a 16 lane bowling center, Jet Lanes, just outside the main gate of Ellsworth Air Force Base. Bob represented the USAF proudly at the InterService Bowling Tournaments five years, 19701972, 1977 and in 1978 and authored bowling news for three years in the Dyess Air Force Base paper.
In 1972, Bob began his bowling legacy with the bowling association in Abilene, Texas. He was selected Abilene Bowling Associations ABA All Events Champion and Bowler of the Year in 1978 and Secretary of the Year in 1996. Bob was CoHolder of the ABA City 4 Man Team record with a score of 2770 prior to 2010, ABA Annual City Tournament Team Doubles Champion with his son, Robby White in 1988, awarded the ABA Presidents Award in 2000 and inducted into the ABA Hall of Fame in 2002 with his son Robby to follow in 2005, being the only father and son to be inducted. In 2004, Bob and son, Robby won the Poor Boys Tournament in Brownwood, TX being one of the last tournaments Bob White bowled in.
Bob White has an outstanding bowling history with an average of 200, multiple 300 games and an amazing 800 series in his lifetime. He has been a coach and mentor to many youth and adult bowlers over the years. So many bowlers attribute their success and accomplishments in bowling to Bob White. Bobs love for the sport was shared by his family members as well with wife, Martha and son, Robby still actively involved in bowling leagues with daughterinlaw Ty White. Daughter, Teresa, and grandsons Lenny and Richard have included bowling in their lives as well. Bob was so proud of all the many bowlers, friends and family he coached and loved hearing their stories and personal accomplishments with great excitement in their voices. He greatly enjoyed sharing his many bowling experiences while using that experience to greatly enrich others in their bowling.
Bob White was very active in other sports and activities as well. He was on the Air Force Swim team for several years, winning many awards. Bob also aided in beginning the TBall league on Dyess Air Force Base and served as coach for the Little League so he could be involved with his son, Robby, playing ball. His daughter, Teresa, took ballet lessons for several years. Bob took her to Oklahoma City to see a Russian Ballet Tour and even managed to get her backstage to meet and get autographs of all the dancers, even though neither of them spoke Russian.
Bob was a 32nd degree Mason with the Blue Lodge in Altus, Oklahoma, a Shriner and Baptist in belief. He was awarded and presented his 50 year Masonic pin in 2010.
After retiring from the US Air Force, Bob and Martha began several business ventures here in Abilene. RW Enterprise, being a corporation of Abilene Moving Storage, Complete Moving Storage and currently oparated and manged by daughter, Teresa and son, Robby, JJs Moving Storage since 1988. Bob also began BRobs Bowling Pro Shop opened in 1989, currently owned and operated by him, son Robby and grandson Lenny.
Bob White was preceded in death by parents, Robert and Eula White, sister, Mary Grover, mother and father in law, Frankie and Cecil Skillman and brothers in law Don Skillman and Gayle Skillman.
Those left to cherish his memories are wife, Martha Skillman White daughter and soninlaw, Teresa and Ray Guerrero son and daughterinlaw, Robby and Ty White, all of Abilene sisters, Carol Novack of Andrews, SC, CJ Beck of Leguna Beach, CA brother, James White and wife JoAnn of Atlanta, GA, sisterinlaw, Paula Skillman of Ft Worth brotherinlaw, David Skillman of Lawton, OK grandsons, Lenny Testa with wife, Kele and Richard Guerrero and fiance, Camille Carrion extended family grandchildren, Ashtyn, Austin and Adasyn Piearcy all of Abilene great granddaughter, Sophie Testa and great grandsons, Van Huddleston and recently born April 18th Richard Jace Guerrero Jr. all of Abilene nieces, Donna W, of Ft Worth, Deborah S, Washington State, April N and Karin B of Maine, nephews Jon S and wife Darla, of Ft Worth and James G of Maine as well as his much beloved dog, Buddy and cat, Wompers.
The family would like to offer their gratitude to Dr. Victor Hirsch and his staff at the Hendrick Cancer Center for their great care and compassion, for 14 years we have been truly touched by angels. We would also like to thank Dr. Thomas Headstream and Teresa Headstream, PA and their staff for the care given, all the friends and family for prayer, visits, cards and love.
Bob was a strong man and courageous fighter during his long bout of illness. He may have lost the battle, but he won the war. He is in heaven with other family members and friends giving lessons on the ten pin and rolling his thundering strikes. You have touched many hearts and lives, Bob White, you are loved and greatly missed.
A Masonic and Military funeral is planned to honor Bob and the great man he is. Visitation will be Friday, May 11, 2012 from 6:00 8:00 PM at Elmwood Funeral Home located at 5750 Hwy 277 South in Abilene. His funeral service will be on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 1:00 pm in the Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel.
Anyone who would like to is encouraged to wear, bowling shirts and attire to the service in honor of some of Bobs greatest memories.
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