Biography: Robert James ?Bob? Wilson, Sr., the third child of Jewell Gordon Wilson, Sr., and Eleanor ?Ine? Cook, was born on Saturday, August 13th, 1928?though he insisted to his grandchildren he was born on Friday the 13th. A graduate of Little Rock (now Central) High School and then Louisiana State University where he met his dear wife, Eleanor Wax ?Nell? Wilson, Bob was the dedicated father of five children: Mary Allison (husband John), Robert James ?Jim? Wilson, Jr., Doris ?Lynn? Wilson (who predeceased her father), Patricia ?Pattye? Lassiter (husband Jack), and Louis Gordon Wilson (wife Jolene). Very recently, Bob and Nell celebrated their Platinum, or 70th, Anniversary; neighbors and friends always remarked how happy and loving Bob and Nell were towards each other. An avid citizen since his youth, Bobby Jim was an Eagle Scout, receiving the Silver Beaver Award and later becoming a member of the board for the Quapaw Council. After college, he served in the United States Army Corps of Engineers from 1951 to 1953 as a Second Lieutenant. He also became a 32nd Degree Mason as well as a Shriner. He was president of his family?s heavy equipment distributorship Little Rock Road Machinery from 1973 to 1989. He served for many years on the Portec Board of Directors; as National President of Associated Equipment Distributors (AED), after several years of leadership in his region, as Senior Vice President and Treasurer of AED; as Chairman of the International Distributors Council for North America; as a member of the State Chamber of Commerce and Board of Directors of First National Bank, Little Rock; and as elected member of the Board of Directors of TRIP, a non-profit organization that researches and promotes better infrastructure in the US. When Bob was not working to improve his community or business, he was enjoying fellowship at Asbury United Methodist Church, leading his Sunday school class; entertaining family and friends on Lake Ouachita, serving his famous ?Branson Potatoes?; or tending to his father?s former farm in West Little Rock, which became Brodie Creek and Woodland?s Edge, both of which Bob eagerly helped develop. Above all, Bob, our Papaw, will be remembered as a greatly loved, well-respected, and generous husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend?and jokester who loved singing silly songs. He is survived by his loving and beloved wife, Nell, and their four living children; ten grandchildren, Amy Allison (wife Lesa), Wilson Allison (wife Beth), Thomas Cole (wife Renee), Robert Cole (wife Alex), Ellie Lassiter, April Lassiter, Jewell Wilson (wife Colleen), Louis A. Wilson, Brendan Wilson, and Parke Wilson; and five great-grandchildren, Abby and Claire Allison, Easton White, Stella Cole, and Kennedy Cole. Papaw was surrounded by the love of his family, friends, and caregivers when he died Monday, July 16th, 2018, just a month shy of his 90th birthday. Our family is immensely grateful to Donna Hatchet and Carol Gillison, who have been attentive and caring nurses at Fox Ridge, along with his hospice nurse Sheila Russell, and also First Choice Senior Care for providing wonderful caregivers, especially Charyca Williams, our guardian angel. Bob?s friend Donald Gamble was always willing to help complete any and every task Bob would, or could, contrive?the two, in 2012, creatively removed a fallen tree from atop a carport that saved four out of five cars. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Asbury United Methodist Church (1700 Napa Valley Dr., Little Rock, AR 72212). A memorial service will be held at Ruebel Funeral Home (6313 W Markham St) on Friday, July 20th, at 11AM, after a private burial at Roselawn Cemetery. In rest, Bob rejoins his mother, father, countless friends and family members but especially his brothers, Jewell Gordon, Jr. (d. 1944), and Lorance (d. 1936); his best friend, Raymond ?Bras? Braselton (d. 2004); and his daughter Lynnie (d. 2002).