Bobby Vance

Bobby Joe Vance, 93, of Robinson, Texas passed away surrounded by loved ones Tuesday, April 26, 2022, following a brave fight with cancer.

Bob was born in Bryan, Texas on September 25, 1928. Due to difficult economic times and his father passing away, he was placed into the Waco Methodist Children’s home in 1934 at the age of 5. He remained at the Children’s home until the age of 15 when he returned to Bryan to live with his mother.

During his stay at the Children’ Home Bob became active in the Boy Scouts of America, earning an Eagle Scout Award in June 1944. He remained active in the program for years as a Scoutmaster, Merit Badge Counselor, and Commissioner.

In June of 1947 after graduating from Bryan High School, Bob joined the Army Air Corp. Soon afterwards, the Air Force separated from the Army Air Corp, and he served in the US Air Force for 26 ½ years, retiring on June 30, 1973 as a Master Sergeant. During his service he spent time in numerous countries including Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Europe, as well as various stateside locations. Following his military retirement, he worked for Standard Register in Memphis, Tennessee before returning to the Waco, Texas area and finally residing in Robinson for 37 years. He enjoyed working with wood and spent time in his workshop building everything from bookshelves to wooden earrings. He was also blessed with a knack for fixing almost anything, including household appliances. Over many years, he had repaired the dryer so many times that his wife, Amnie Louise, finally had to put her foot down and plead for a new improved dryer even though he’d gotten the old one up and running yet again. One of his largest and most intricate projects was constructing scale models of the original buildings on the campus of the Waco Methodist Home where they can be viewed.

Bob met his wife of 61 years, Amnie Louise Vance, in the stadium parking lot following a Waco vs. Bryan football game on September 24, 1948. They were married on December 23, 1950. Together they raised four children, three sons and one daughter.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Amnie Louise; parents, Walter and Annie Vance; brothers, Sam and Bill; and baby sister, Jeanie June Vance.

Bob is survived by sister, Jean Cangelose; sons, Jim Vance and wife Martha, Doug Vance and wife Barbara, Alan Vance and wife Miriam; daughter, Carol Palmer and husband Michael, along with grandsons, Seth, Sean, Clint, Shane, Andy, and Josh; granddaughters, Bailey and Jordan. He is also survived by ten great-grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to Sue Ferguson for being dad's companion for the last several years and to the Community Healthcare of Texas - Providence Hospice Team.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, May 2 at Pecan Grove Funeral Home, 3124 Robinson Dr., Waco with burial immediately following at Rosemound Cemetery. The family will receive visitors one hour prior to service beginning at 10 a.m.

Pallbearers will be his six grandsons and honorary pallbearers will be his great-grandsons.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Healthcare of Texas – Providence Hospice, 6700 Sanger Ave., Waco, Texas 76710.