Robert Lee "Bob" Bullard, 78, passed away Thursday, April 8, 2010, at his home in Bellville. Robert was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on September 28, 1931 to Jacob Elvin and Elizabeth Garee Bullard. He grew up and attended school in Noble, Oklahoma where he graduated from high school in 1949. He then earned a degree in Industrial Education from the University of Oklahoma. Robert proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War while stationed at Okinawa.

He was employed by Linde Air Products and began his career in Kansas City, Missouri before moving to Houston, Texas where he met his wife, Joyce Elaine Brast. Robert and Joyce were married at the Bellville United Methodist Church on August 11, 1956. Robert was then transferred to the Chicago area. He and Joyce lived in Downers Grove, Illinois before moving to Indianapolis, Indiana and then to Florence, South Carolina. Robert retired as Product Manager for cutting machines sold world-wide in 1990 after 35 years of service. After his retirement, he and Joyce moved to Bellville and became world travelers.

As a young man, while working at his grandfather's nursery, Robert developed a love for trees, and he planted many on their property in Bellville. He had several hobbies, one of which was collecting hammers from around the world. He later began making wooden pens. His desire was to collect and make pens from as many different woods as he could from around the world, and his collection numbered in the hundreds. Robert enjoyed having coffee at Newman's Bakery three times a week. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Bellville, the Bluebonnet Chapter of the Texas German Society, the Texas Sports Association, and the Top Cats Dance Club. In their early years, Robert and Joyce enjoyed square dancing and were able to square dance on the Great Wall of China and the Great Pyramid in Egypt. They were married for 53 years.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Bullard of Bellville; daughter, Denise Harvey and her husband, Curtis, of The Woodlands; son, Gary Lee Bullard and his wife, Rhonda, of Bellville; grandchildren, Matthew Clay Johnston and his wife, Joy, of Orlando, Florida, Benjamin Lee Johnston and his fiancé, Jennifer Lester, also of Orlando, Taylor Lee Bullard of College Station, Texas, Joshua Kyle Bullard and Shelby Elaine Bullard, both of Bellville; sister, Irene Bauman of Norman, Oklahoma; half-sister, Mary Elvina Charleboix; brother-in-law, Harry Brast and his wife, Gloria, of Bellville; sisters-in-law, Rosemary Brast of Sour Lake, Texas, Marilyn Brast, and Neely Vasicek and her husband, Bill, all of Bellville; aunt, Elleta Nolte; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers-in-law, Roy Brast and Clinton Brast; half-sister, Jane Ann Bullard; and half-brother, Jacob Bullard.

A devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather, Robert cherished his family and the time he was able to spend with them. And he truly loved living in the country. He will be missed by his family who loved him dearly.