Robert L. ‘Bob’ White
Robert L. “Bob” White, 94, of Cape Girardeau, died on July 8, 2023, at home after a recently discovered diagnosis of cancer.
He was born on Sept. 26, 1928, near Anna, the son of Alva “Whitey” and Daisy Pitts White.
He married Shirley Ann Russell on Dec. 30, 1950, in Piggott, Ark.
He was a 1946 graduate of Anna-Jonesboro Community High School in Anna. He continued his education, later studying occupational safety at East Texas College in Tyler, Texas, and at Hartford Graduate Center in Hartford, Conn.
Mr. White served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from November 1950 until November 1952, attaining the rank of sergeant E-5.
He retired as a safety supervisor from Texas Eastern/Spectra with 36 years of service. During that period, he worked on jobs reaching from Arizona to Maine.
Upon retirement, he and Shirley moved from New England, Maine to Cape Girardeau, where he spent the remaining years of his life. He spent time after retirement from Texas Eastern working in real estate sales and was licensed in Missouri.
He loved golf, traveling and yard work. He commented after a hole-in-one: “Well, if I can do it, anyone can do it.” A 50-plus year Mason, he was a member of St. Marks Lodge No. 93 AF&AM in Cape Girardeau.
He leaves behind his wife of 72 years, Shirley; his son, Robert (Tina) White; daughter Sheila Noble; grandson Chad (Ashley) White; great-grandchildren Conner, Brynley and Tyler White; brothers William White, Don (Margaret) White and Carl (Shirley) White; sister Mary (Don) Hawk; and numerous loving nieces and nephews and life-long friends who he loved dearly.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alva and Daisy White; a daughter, Sonya Faye White; a sister, Fran Boes; a son-in-law, Butch Noble; and a sister-in-law, Kathy White.
Funeral services for Robert “Bob” White will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 14, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home at 301 W. Spring St. in Anna, with Pastor Todd Hawk officiating.
Interment with military honors will follow at the Anna Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.
To visit his memorial page and to leave online condolences for his family, visit the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home website at rendlemanhilemanfh.com.
Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna is in charge of arrangements.