ROBERT EDWARD (BOB) HALE, 86 years of age of Grundy, VA passed away Sunday, July 19, 2009 at the Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center, Kingsport, TN, following an extended illness. Born in Tazewell County, he was the son of the late William and Virginia Brown Hale. He was a resident of Buchanan County most of his life and was a member of the Buchanan First Presbyterian Church since April 28, 1940 and was an ordained Elder January 21, 1999, and also attended the Jewell Ridge Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hale served in the United States Navy during World War II and served on the U.S.S. Texas. He was stationed at Bainbridge, MD, and was seaman first class. He received the World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal with 2 stars and the Philippine Liberation Medal.

Mr. Hale was a graduate of Grundy High School Class of 1941. He was a member of Sandy Valley Lodge #17 AF&AM, Kazim Temple, Roanoke, VA and the Grundy Lion’s Club. He was a car salesman for Terry Chevrolet, Modern Sales and Service and Harold Smith Ford. He was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel and served several years with the Grundy Volunteer Fire Department, Grundy Town Council, I.D.A. Board and the John Flannagan Water Authority. He had a passion for golf and bowling and was a member of several leagues. He was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and worked 33-years as a State Farm Agent before retiring.

Mr. Hale is survived by his wife of 62-years: Ethel Wyatt Hale, Grundy, VA, 3-Daughters: Barbara and husband Charles Wiley, Phuket, Thailand, Brenda and husband Curtis Bledsoe, Blountville, TN, Bobbie Hale, Grundy, VA, 1-Sister: Laura Lee Roebuck, Marysville, OH, 1-Brother: Jack B. Hale, Hansford, WV, 2-Grandchildren: Tiffany and husband Chad Cleland, Bonita Springs, FL, Lance and wife Peggy Wiley, Newman, GA, 1-Great-Grandson: Quinlan Wiley, Newman, GA

He was preceded in death by 3-Brothers: Charles William Hale, Clarence Shannon Hale and Pat Hale.

Funeral Services for ROBERT EDWARD (BOB) HALE will be conducted Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at the Buchanan First Presbyterian Church, Grundy, VA, with Rev. Jeff Porter, Shirley Keene and Mike Cooper officiating with entombment to follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum, Claypool Hill, VA.

Friends may call at the Buchanan First Presbyterian Church, Grundy, VA, Wednesday evening from 6:00-9:00 P.M. with Masonic Rites at 7:00 P.M.

Active Pallbearers will be Tim Elswick, Jerry Dillow, Richard Davis, Lyle Mutter, Lance Wiley, Ben Church, Ed Bunn and Chad Cleland.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Employees of the Town Shop, Mel Keen, Bud Kendrick, Jim Hill, Ronald “Pappy” Davis, Dr. Eric Goss and Jeff Keene.

The family suggests that expressions of sympathy be made in the form of a donation to the Buchanan First Presbyterian Church, Box 1339, Grundy, VA, or the Jewell Ridge Presbyterian Church, Box 101, Jewell Ridge, VA, 24622.

Full Military Rites will be conducted at the cemetery by members of Child Gentry’s Post #7360.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.grundyfuneralhome.com

Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy, Virginia is in charge of all arrangements.