Bob McFarlin

Bob J. McFarlin of Hamilton returned peacefully to his Lord and Savior on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, at the age of 87.

A graveside service will be held Friday, Oct. 2, in Evergreen Cemetery at 10 a.m. Visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Riley Funeral Home.

Bob was born in Coryell County on June 27, 1933, to Johnny Jackson McFarlin and Fannie Mae Young McFarlin. He was the second of five children who grew up in the Whiteway community.

He entered the Army in June of 1953 and was stationed in Korea. He returned to Hamilton on May 15, 1955, and married Chris Riley of the Pleasant Valley community. They were blessed with two daughters, Carla and Vicki.

He retired as the owner and operator of Bob and Lloyd’s Exxon Service Station in 1992 after 20 years of business. His retirement allowed him to spend more time doing his favorite things, working on and restoring vintage cars. He was also an avid pool player and enjoyed spending time with anyone who thought they could beat him.

In the last years of his life, he looked forward to every Tuesday where you would find him and his cousin Ray Kelly playing pool, drinking a Dr Pepper and determining who was the champion of FM 218.

BJ Whaley was a close and dedicated friend who made sure Bob had a copy of the Hamilton paper every Wednesday and was willing to do anything that was needed in the last 18 months.

Arlene Brown was his neighbor, friend and healthcare resource. She provided invaluable friendship and care to Bob and his family.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents Johnny and Fannie Mae, and his brothers, Charles McFarlin and Ray McFarlin.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Chris McFarlin, along with their daughters Carla Smith and husband Donnie of Glen Rose and Vicki McGilvray of Burnet; granddaughters Keri Brooks and husband Rookie of Mansfield and Loren Bell and husband Jimmy of Hico; five great-grandchildren whom he was very proud of, Kylee Brooks, Gracie Brooks, Halo Bell, Sawyer Bell and Archer Bell; two sisters, Linda McFarlin Adcock and Ola McFarlin. His niece Nikki was a very special part of his life, and he looked forward to her visits each November.

Memorials may be made in his honor to Camp Sweeney in Gainesville.