Robert “Bob” Lee Whaley

Robert “Bob” Lee Whaley - may he rest in peace as he departed this world on December 19, 2018 and moved on to the next to be with his wife of 61 years who preceded him in death on August 7, 2018. He was born in Hopkins, Missouri on May 15, 1935 to Harley Ivan Whaley and Merle Mary O’Riley Whaley and where until recently he still owned half of the family farm that had been in their family over 75 years. He enjoyed the time he spent in Missouri with his brothers and family working on the farm to restore the native tall grass prairie that covered the land before farming began. He started his career working in telecommunications as a lineman and retired as Chief Engineer. After retiring he still consulted as an engineer working in fiber-optics and other means of communications including working at PathTech with his daughter Theresa and husband Bob. He lived in Andrews, Texas for many years and resided in Midland, Texas for the past 20 years. Robert was a Master Mason, following in the footsteps of his father and uncle, and was a life time member of the Midland Commandery No. 84, Andrews No 1024, and the Eastern Stars Friendship Chapter in Odessa Texas. He was a Colonel in the Desert Squadron of the Confederate Air Force - now the Commemorative Air Force, where he enjoyed barbequing for group functions and being the Bingo caller. He had also been a member of the Mesquite Burners in Andrews. Robert had been a season pass holder for the Rock Hounds Baseball Team and enjoyed cheering on the Dallas Cowboys. He had been an announcer for Little League Baseball in Andrews Texas during the seventies, he loved golfing, playing baseball, bowling and playing games with his children and grandchildren. Per his wishes a private family viewing was held on Friday, December 21 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and he will be interred at the family plot in Hopkins, Missouri. He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Andrews and had attended St Luke’s United Methodist Church in Midland as health allowed.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife Kathryn and is survived and will be missed by his daughters Sharee Whaley and grandson Phillip and Amy Salonek and great-grandson son Louie of Midland, Texas; Theresa and Bobby Hal-ford of Granbury, Texas and granddaughter Angela and Anthony Taharnkleaw and great grandson Andrew of Houston, Texas; Pamela and Richard Lomax of Murrieta, CA and grandchildren Denise and Ricky Taylor; Adam and Melissa Lo-max and great grandchildren Olivia, Isabel, and Ethan; Emily and James Stewart and great grandchildren Gavin, James, Lilly Mae and Owen all of California; and Kelley Whaley of Midland, Texas. Grandchildren Amanda Whaley and fiancee Tommy Schooler and great grandchildren Xander Berry, Thomas and Shirley Schooler of Wolfforth, Texas; Harley and Heather Whaley and great grandchildren Zander & Nicko Morrison and Annika O’Neal of Shallowater, Texas; great granddaughter Lilyan Whaley of Shelton, Washington; Shannon Whaley of Seattle, Washington. He is survived by his brothers Carl Whaley of Oregon and Nelson Whaley of Iowa, sisters-in-law Carolyn Golz of Wisconsin and Beth Kelly of New Mexico and various cousins, nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory, Midland, Texas. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com