Robert Pettit

William Robert Pettit was born March 10, 1931 in Houston, Texas, the son of the late Harry B. Pettit and Doris I. Pettit. On Sunday, August 21, 2011, at the age of 80, he passed away in Lufkin with family at his side.

Mr. Pettit was a mechanical design engineer for more than 50 years, having worked for Schlumberger in Houston, Los Alamos Scientific Lab in Los Alamos, New Mexico, Temple Associates and Temple-Inland in Diboll before retiring in 1999. After retirement, he worked part time at Morning Glory Health Food Store in Lufkin. He was one of Jehovah's Witnesses and remained very active, serving as a faithful elder in the Lufkin Central Congregation until his death.

Survivors include his wife, Joan Pettit, her son Rick and family; sons, Michael Andrew Pettit, Timothy Brett Pettit, Phillip Joel Pettit, Thomas Matthew Pettit and Joshua Luke Pettit; daughters, Jennifer Colleen Allred and Katrina Marie Fritz; brothers, Harry, Ralph and Arthur; sister, Adelaide; 20 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and one sister, Mr. Pettit was preceded in death by his first wife, Colleen Pettit, the mother of all his children; son, Nathan Jubal Pettit; and daughters, Rebecca Lea Vigil and Cassandra Lopez.

Memorial services for Mr. Pettit will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 27, 2011 in the Gipson Funeral Home Chapel, with Arzell Sullivan as officiating minister.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Homehe direction of Gipson Funeral Home, Lufkin, TX.