Bobby "Bob" Whitmer

1932 ~ 2015

Ocean Springs

Bobby Whitmer, age 82, of Ocean Springs left this earth on Sunday, September 6, 2015.

Bob has owned a home in Ocean Springs for the past 13 years, for years as a summer home and then as permanent resident. He is an Air Force Retiree, having served his country for 20 years. His service career included 3 tours in Vietnam, 2 tours in Philippines, 1 tour in Korea and Crete, plus numerous short term assignments to Turkey, Iran, North Africa and various remote islands based on various mission requirements. Stateside tours included Wyoming, Texas, New Mexico, Maine, California and Utah. Bob met his wife of 63 years in 1953 while assigned to San Antonio, TX. Upon his AF retirement, he continued to travel as he supported his wife's career and continued to work including positions in both sales and service while living in Salt Lake City, Las Vegas and then as MWR Hobby Shop Manager at Hickam AFB, Honolulu, HI. Upon return to Dallas, TX in the late nineties, he selected to spend more time as a grandfather. He was always extremely proud of his loving grandchildren, all of whom have professional jobs and/or still working on their degrees.

Bob loved life, country and family. He enjoyed the adventures of travel throughout the states, as well as through Europe and the Far East. He searched for unique dining experiences, personally challenged the adventure of hunting, fishing and boating. Bob enjoyed working on and driving classic cars. He relaxed by doing puzzles, playing card and board games, as well as watching his favorite sport teams on TV. He continued to enjoy being with or hearing from his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Although he was always somewhat of a disciplinarian and task master, they knew he loved them dearly. All of his friends and family will miss his corny jokes, his friendly smile, his quest for great food and his endless efforts to live each day to the fullest. His sudden illness was unexpected and his resulting death is and will be in God's hands.

He was born in Muskogee, OK and was the youngest of 8 siblings. He is preceded in death by his parents, Pearl and Charles Whitmer; and by his brothers, Joe, Charles and Pete; and his sisters, Jerry Chilton, Betty Stevens, Ann Galas and Marguerite Varsaci.

Bob's survivors include his wife, Mabel Pfeiffer Whitmer; his daughters, Natalie Waite and Tammy Palombi, both of Ocean Springs; his grandchildren, Lance Palombi of Dallas, TX, Ashley Palombi of Ocean Springs, Crystal Dixon of Dallas, TX, Amber Jones of Clinton, UT and Janae Smith of Clearfield, UT; his great-grandchildren, Andrew and Claire Dixon of Dallas, TX and Tayla and Quinn Jones of Clinton, UT; as well as other special nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Thursday, September 10, 2015 with a 10:30 am Funeral Service on Friday, September 11, 2015 all at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park.

Published in The Sun Herald on Sept. 8, 2015