Robert "Bob" Weatherby

Robert Jay “Bob” Weatherby, 75, of Williston, SC passed away on January 15, 2023. Born in Wilmington, DE he was a son of the late Charles Arthur Weatherby and Helen Rose Cahill Weatherby. 

Survivors include his wife, Dr. Rebecca Simmons Weatherby, PhD; sons, Dr. Brian (Kim) Weatherby, MD, of Greenville, SC, and Christopher Weatherby of Williston, SC; grandsons, Holden and Reid Weatherby of Greenville, SC; aunt, Gloria Weatherby of Wilmington, DE; sisters-in-law, Sue and Sara; and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins who he dearly loved.

Bob is preceded in death by a brother, Charles Weatherby;  sister-in-law, Virginia S. Behrens and her husband, Harry Behrens; brother-in-law, Dr. Leo Benjamin Simmons Jr and father and mother-in-law, Leo and Iris Simmons.

Bob and his family were members of the Williston United Methodist Church.

He did security analysis, vulnerability assessment for nuclear facilities, was a lead pyrotechnician for fireworks on the 4^th of July, a soldier in Vietnam, a radio DJ and news director in the 70’s a first responder, and a life-long firefighter.

He loved life. He liked adventures. He was a scuba diver.  He believed in exercise, an avid weightlifter and walker.  He was always fascinated by space, went to see a shuttle launch. He went kayaking on the Edisto River and French Broad River with his sons.

He like sports a lot and right up until the end thought maybe he should stop watching the TV game while receiving medical treatments. He helped start and coached the Williston soccer teams. He attended basketball, football, and baseball games with family and friends. Before Parkinson’s took his spatial awareness and fine motor skills and cancer took his strength, he was so good at and enjoyed organization. Maybe it’s something innate in a father or guy, but he seemed to take pride and joy in a well packed car, trailer, storage building.

He loved music. Not just his days as a DJ. It showed by the surround sound system at home. Or tunes he and his wife would listen to in the car. His sons grew up on oldies and Motown. And any popular classic rock from the 60’s. He also had a love of movie scores beginning with Music Man in a high school production he was a part of. Also the works of Hans Zimmer. Very fitting, since Zimmer did the epic Backdraft soundtrack. A movie about firefighting, which Bob did most of his life. First with Talleyville Fire Department in Wilmington, DE, then with Williston Volunteer Fire Department for a total of 48 years.

He owned a boat. Always wanted one. He and his brother-in-law agreed if you wanted the experience of owning a boat, just tear up $100 bills in the shower.

He was a good man. Even tempered. They called him “the Professor” at work. He would walk away from a shouting match. Go be calm and composed. Waited for those who were upset to come to him.

He was a good man. A great father. A loving husband. Never criticized his wife. Always wanted her to feel happy and safe and loved. Agreed to things to a fault.

He was a hard worker. A steadfast, dependable person to have by your side and in your life. He was a rescuer. He was a helper. He will be missed so much.

Funeral services for Bob will be held two o’clock p.m., Saturday, January 21, 2023 in the Folk Funeral Home Chapel, Williston, SC; burial will follow at the Williston Cemetery with full Firefighter Rites Accorded. The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm, Friday, January 20, 2023 at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Williston Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 367, Williston, SC 29853, Williston Fire Department, 13120 Main St., Williston, SC 29853 or a charity of your choice.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Robert "Bob" Weatherby, please visit our Tree Store.