Robert "Bob" Lee Wilson

Robert (Bob) L. Wilson, 79 of Athens was called to be with the Lord on Friday, December 8, 2023. 
He was born to Charles and Pauline (Belk) Wilson of Athens on November 15, 1944. Bob attended Zion Hill and Claxton Elementary Schools as a child and graduated from McMinn County High School in 1963. From an early age, he had a love for automotive repairs. He was a longtime business owner in Athens. Downtown Shell was a full service gas station in Downtown Athens for many years. Later, he branched out into Bob’s Wrecker Service and Bob’s Used Cars, serving the Athens community for many years. He had many certifications for repairing car air conditioners and many in the region knew him for this specialty. He worked in the automotive service until his retirement in 2006. 
He married Candy Long Wilson on July 24, 1970. Together, they raised a son, Tim Melton and later added a daughter, Wendi Wilson Welch. Bob was a member of Eastanallee Baptist Church.  Later on, they purchased a farm in the Riceville community where he truly enjoyed raising cattle and growing a variety of garden foods along with his good friends in the area. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and will be missed by all who knew and loved him. 
Those Bob leaves behind to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 53 years, Candy Wilson; their children Tim (Emily) Melton of Athens and Wendi (Drew) Welch of Franklin, Ohio; Grandchildren Heath (Tara) Melton, Christine (Michael) Leamon, Carly (Jeromy) Thompson, Clancy Melton, Wilson Welch, and Owen Welch; great grandchildren Savannah Melton, Olivia Melton, Grayson Melton, Noah Leamon; his beloved sisters Dorothy (Don) Cowart and Judy Townsend; special nieces and nephews Dennis Wayne (Tracey) Hicks, Detra Townsend, Shannon (Tom) Lambert, Wesley (Chris) Smith and many more relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his in-laws Gene and Helen Long, brother-in-law Billy Joe Townsend, sister-in-law Carol Barker, and other aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A graveside funeral will be held 10:00 AM, Saturday, December 16, 2023at Eastanallee Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Kenneth Elkins officiating.
Those unable to attend may send condolences to https://www.laycock-hobbs.com/obituaries/robert-wilson

  Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home in Athens is handling the arrangements.