Robert Ray Walton “Bob” was called to be with our Lord and Savior on July 23, 2020 at the age of 88. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years Wanda and and two sons, Douglas and Joe Bob. Robert is survived by his sister Alice Kelly of Grants Pass Oregon and daughter Lavada Metzger of Visalia. Grand daughters, Susan, Bobbi Jo, Betty, Jennifer, and grandsons, Dustin, and Jonathan. Great grandsons Jacob, Joshua, Richard, Cody, T.J., Austin and Dusty, and great grand daughters Bailey and Amaya. He was also blessed with 4 great great-grand children, Sadie, Mary Lu, Jane and Kashton.
Robert was born 7th in a family of eleven children to Walter and Addie Walton of Keota Oklahoma. In 1947, the family moved to California to join relatives to live and work on Tagus Ranch in Tulare, Ca. Robert met Wanda Burgess in Tulare and they married in 1952 where they lived until moving to Hanford in 1968. Wanda also had a large wonderful family who call Robert “Bob”.
Family and friends will remember Bob as deeply devoted to his Christian walk. He served faithfully as a member of his church, Hanford Pentecostal Church of God for many years and was passionate about sharing God’s word. Bob and Wanda were actively involved with hospital ministry and the bread ministry. He served on the board and especially enjoyed the men’s bible studies.
One of Bob’s favorite scriptures was, "But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:33
Bob enjoyed life to the fullest! He worked hard and he played hard! Some of his hobbies included gardening, fishing, hunting, camping and traveling with his family. He was humorous and loved to tell jokes and stories past down from his Papa and his family’s history in Oklahoma. He enjoyed watching westerns on TV and reading Louis L’Amour novels. One of his favorite pass times later in life was singing, “You are my sunshine”, with his great granddaughter. Bob had a special tenderness for all his grandchildren!
After retiring from Producers Cotton and Oil he began woodworking, most of his projects were lovingly given to family and friends. Robert Ray “Bob” Walton, had a personality that was bigger than Life, as was his physical stature! He would sometimes joke that his head was so large he couldn’t find a proper size hat to fit!
He was a man of integrity, a righteous man, in the eyes of the Lord, a genuine Christian soldier! We honor him for his shining light, his endless prayers, and for demonstrating his love for God first - and then us.
For you shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in its season. Your leaves will never wither, and whatsoever you do shall prosper. This is your promise for delighting your life in our Heavenly Father.
Until we meet again, in the sweet by and by!
