Robert L. "Bobby" Wilson

Robert Lynn “Bob, Bobby, Buster, Mr.” Wilson, age 71, of Cape Coral, Florida, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 22, 2024 surrounded by all his girls. He was born on November 7, 1952 to William “Willie” and Pauline (Miller) Wilson in Lafollette, Tennessee. 

Though he departed from us girls, he is now with his heavenly Father, welcomed and surrounded by so many others who have gone on before him including our sister, his baby girl, Kendra Joy.

In addition to Kendra, he was preceded in death by his Parents; grandson, Nathan Schrickel; siblings, Walter Wilson, and Joyce (Wilson) & Randy Duke. Left to cherish Bobby’s memory are his loving daughters, Lahoma (Jason “Jake”) Nachtrab, Tenelle (Sundee Carr) Wilson, Vanessa (Tiffany) Wilson, and Sarah (Piper) Wilson-Rudich; son by heart, Jacob Cox; grandchildren, Dominic, and Kayden; great-granddaughter, Ember J.; mother of his girls, Deborah (Fred) Panasci; brothers, Paul (Kathy) Wilson and Ronald (Patricia) Wilson; and many nieces, nephews, other family members, and dear friends.

Bobby grew up in Monclova, OH and graduated from Anthony Wayne High School before marrying our mother, Deborah. Together they created life, loved, and provided for our family. Robert is a veteran of the U.S. Airforce, receiving an honorable discharge as a Staff Sergeant. He sacrificed time and sleep to excel in college and his training courses to become a steam engineer at General Mills where he had worked for many years. He always had multiple jobs at one time. He was also an ordained Missionary Baptist Preacher. He received his calling in 1971 and preach he did! He was a blessed man of God and a blessing to so many. In addition to pastoring many churches in the Wayne Trail Association, he would travel all over as a guest preacher for regular & special services, Homecomings and Revivals. Often, the whole family would travel with him. We visited so many places and met so many wonderful people. Our childhood was full of a large extended family who loved us all as much as, Brother Bob. 

He was not only a brilliant man and minister but also athletic and artistic. We would proudly watch him play basketball as young children, seeing him as a super star and our hero. We loved watching him swing the golf club, for at least the first 15min of his 2+ hour recording sessions, in the front yard. In the Air Force, while in Korea, He and Mom trained in Judo, being awarded black belts. When we were old enough, he coached little league, another thing he excelled at. He would turn the youngest, least experience and worst basketball players into confident capable champions. He included every single player, found their strength and helped them become the best possible player they could be. No-one sat the bench. Everyone had their own play and a chance to contribute. Of course, he helped each of us improve our own game, but not by sacrificing the team as a whole nor the other players. Every season he was able to transform the last place team into the championship winners! He could have easily been a professional coach! One of the many reasons we love watching sports with him. 

If he wasn’t giving sports lessons, coaching, watching us play, cheering us on or wrestling around with us (golf, basketball, softball, track, tennis, soccer, cheer leading, weightlifting) he was training our minds. He always aspired to enhance our knowledge and expand our skill sets, along with his own, in all aspects of life. Teaching us to multiply before we even realized that’s what we were doing. Always quizzing us and spending hours on our schoolwork, especially when we missed school for out-of-town revivals or other preaching opportunities. Our education was so important to him. He taught us to think not just memorize. He probably asked “why” more than we did.

In the early 80’s he explored his artistic talents. He began cutting gemstones and making jewelry in our basement. Before long, he opened and ran a small family jewelry store, Wilson’s Classic Jewelry. There he created beautiful custom pieces for many loyal customers. After his “retirement” from General Mills, which had become Smucker’s, he began buying and fixing up houses in Toledo to rent or sell. He could fix and teach himself anything from repairing TVs & automobiles to studying Law and Medicine. 

For several years Before Covid, while still living in Naples, he would travel to NWOH for long lengths of time to visit and care for his sister Joyce and good friend Troy Lee. While here he would visit other family members and attend church, testifying and sharing his love of the Lord. So, much that he purchased a home in KY, as a resting place between FL and OH. While staying there sharing his home with friends, he met and befriend a young man who became very dear to him. His son by heart, Jacob. They remained close and when dad could no longer visit KY, Jacob came to FL. Not only did Dad gain a son but us girls gained a brother. As Dad became less able to travel, he spent more time in SWFL staying with each of us girls. When Tenelle returned to FL, together they found and created our new FL family home. 

Of course, Covid hit, completely preventing his road trips to visit friends and attend church up north. After Covid the desire had diminished with the passing of his beloved Sister Joyce and dear friend Troy Lee. Before long he was no longer able to travel that far. We were all praying and awaiting the day he would receive a new kidney, regain quality of life and freedom. We looked forward to watching & joining him in playing golf, enjoying the pool, floating in the lazy river and of course more road trips! 

Even through the restrictiveness of kidney dialysis, he was still always available to talk us through putting up a pool, fixing plumbing, patching a leak, replacing drywall, texturizing a wall, laying down flooring, offering guidance on all things and to be the father and friend we had missed so many years before he moved to FL. We would have family gatherings for dinners, holidays, birthdays and of course to watch the Steelers during football season. We shared coffee or tea while playing Sorry, sharing stories, or discussing current events, history, politics and his favorite subject, the Bible. He could be frustrating, sometimes evoking anger because Dad had his own timing, particularities, and habits. However, he also made us laugh so hard it hurt and showed us more unconditional love than we could imagine. Even at 71 years old, he could “kick stretch and kick” (a Saturday Night Live reference). 

He always wanted to listen to us sing. Though he didn’t coach or insist on as many retakes as when we were kids, he still offered suggestions on tempo, key, and pitch. Even though, to him, we always sounded like a choir of angels. He of course joined in or led us in song. When we were lucky, he would get out his guitar. He did teach us a few chords over the years, some of us picked it up, others not so much. We had so much more left to learn from him. So much more to do, together!

We are so grateful for our time together in FL. For him to get to know us as grown women yet continue to guide, mold, and encourage us in all our pursuits. 

The heartbreak of his passing so suddenly, even with all his health issues, leaves us with a pain that can only be soothed by the love, strength, and reliance on each other, he always nurtured.

The outpouring of comfort and support we have received from so many loved ones and can still feel coming from him, residing in perfect peace, is such a welcome blessing. His faith and love for the Lord provides blessed assurance that he is right where he deserves to be, at ease and eternal peace in his new home on high, the Kingdom of Heaven.

When you miss our father, as we do, remember the reassurance he always gave us, that whenever it was his time to go, and the Lord called him home, he was ready, and it would be his time. 

Dad, you craved knowledge and freely shared your wisdom. You befriended and uplifted even the most downtrodden. You were a vessel of the Lord through which many lives were forever changed, and many souls were saved. You were like no other. You are irreplaceable. You are missed by so many but your work on earth is done, you have left a legacy for us all to live up to. You will be so dearly missed and loved, “Forever and Ever Amen”. 

Funeral Services will begin Saturday, August 3, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Victory Missionary Baptist Church, 10625 Reed Rd., Monclova, OH. Interment will follow in Springfield Township Cemetery. 

Potluck luncheon to follow, doors open at 12:30 p.m. at The American Legion, 1047 Clarion Ave., Holland, OH 43528 (Across the street from Strawberry Acres Park)

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider the family c/o his daughter Lahoma Nachtrab. 

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