He was born on October 24, 1942, in Peoria, Illinois; the son of William Eli Barker and Mary Kathryn (Gragg) Barker. Bob was a graduate of Lewistown Community High School Class of 1960. He faithfully served his country in the United States Army Reserves from 1963 until 1969. Bob worked at International Harvester in Canton, Illinois from 1964 until 1983, Barker Distributing from 1984 until 1987 and later going on to work at Pratt & Whitney in Columbus, GA from 1989 until 2009. Bob was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 104 in Lewistown, Illinois for 55 years and was a Post Master. He was a classic car fanatic, owning a 1939 Chevy Coupe since 1964. His love of classic cars led him to be a member of several car clubs, which included Coachman Car Club, Central Illinois Street Rod Association and National Hot Rod Association.
Bob is survived by his daughter, Robin (Buddy) Wallace of Hamilton, Georgia; son Casey (Tari) Barker of Hendersonville , TN; grandchildren: Gage Barker, Grant Barker and Laken Wallace; brother, Ronald (Kay) Barker of Fernadina Beach, FL; sister, Lisa Barker of Springfield, Illinois; former wife, Mary Stanfill of Hamilton, Georgia; and a host of other family members.
A Celebration of Life Service for Bob will be held on September 3, 2023 at Lake Harding, Georgia.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Barker family.
