Robert L. Forbess

Robert Lee Forbess went to be with the Lord on February 5, 2017 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Bob was born to Herbert and Lorene Forbess on October 20, 1932 in Brownwood, Texas. He grew up in Andrews, Texas and graduated from Andrews High School in 1951. Bob served in the Army from 1954 to 1956. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science from McMurry College in 1958. Bob married Anita Drury on June 5, 1965 in Brownwood, Texas. He coached for a few years and was in sales for many years. Bob had just recently retired from Culligan Water after twenty years of service. He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church where he served as an usher and greeted many with a kind word or a joke and a smile. Bob is survived by his sister, Sarah (Bobby) Willey; his children, Rhonda (Phil) Fry, David Forbess, and Scott (Kara) Forbess; step-children, Jennifer (Larry) Askew, Bill (Karen) Bly and Marilyn (Tim) Jones; grandchildren, Nickolas (Cali) and Nathan (Alysa) Rose; Cassidy, Allison and Katelyn Fry; Whitney, Kyle and Hope Forbess; Daniel and Brianne Forbess; Laura (Jim) Conrad and Leighann (Luis) Lopez; Matt Bly and Chris Pitt. He is also survived by nephews, E.W. Forbess, Jr. and Randy Willey; and fourteen great-grandchildren.Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Lorene; his wife, Anita; his brother, E.W. Forbess, Sr; his nephew, Danny Willey and his grandson, Jordan Forbess. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors in Odessa, Texas from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The funeral will be held on Friday, February 10, at First Baptist Church in Odessa at 10:00 a.m. with Don Norris officiating. The military graveside service will be held on Saturday, February 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Andrews Cemetery in Andrews, Texas. The pallbearers will be David Forbess; Scott and Daniel Forbess; Kory and Kyle Willey; and Pat Fisher. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. Services are entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors.