|
many thanks to Sharon and Jon for sending the link to Bob's obituary.
Robert John Witham
November 26, 1946 - September 26, 2024
Robert John Witham (Bob) passed away on September 26, 2024, following an extended illness.
Bob was born on November 26, 1946, to Wes and Tillie Witham and joined his big brother, Dick. The family settled on Wicks Lane in Billings in the early 1950's. Bob attended Bench and Hawthorne elementary schools, Lincoln Junior High, and Billings Senior, graduating in 1965. In 1971, he graduated from Eastern Montana College. He had a passion for baseball and participated in little league as a player and coach. Growing up, he was also involved in scouting and the Heights EUB Church.
In 1968, Bob married Donna Van Allen who shared his love for the rest of his life. Their son, Jake, was born in February 1976. Bob served his country in the Army Reserve, 592nd Ordinance Company.
In 1971, he began work for Taylor Distributing and then progressed to owning his own flooring agency, serving customers in Montana, Wyoming, and North and South Dakota. He later transitioned to a mobile service providing and installing window coverings. In 1979, Bob and Donna took ownership and began operation of laundromats in Billings. The businesses have evolved to three "Spin Fresh" locations providing both on-site and drop-off laundry services. Jake and his wife Maggie have joined the business as partners.
Bob's primary interests were his family including numerous terriers, vintage and classic cars, baseball, attending BST Theatre productions and all genres of music. He also enjoyed attending car shows and auctions as well as going to NASCAR races and visiting points of interest in various states.
He was truly one of the "Good Guys!"
Bob is survived by his wife, Donna; son, Jake (Maggie) Witham; brother, Richard (Sharon) Witham in Arizona; sister-in-law, Sally (Randy) Sullivan in Bozeman; niece, Kelly (Chuck) Wojack and son, Alec in Arizona; nephew, Mike Witham in Minnesota; niece, Miranda (Randy) Morin and children, Abbigail and Landen in Belgrade; and niece, Suzanne (Will) Lalich in Livingston.
Preceding him in death are his parents and favorite aunt and uncle, Glen and Dorothy Witham.
The family expresses a special thank you to Dr. David Christianson, the staffs at Frontier Cancer Center, floor 3-west at St. Vincent Healthcare, and Stillwater Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter, PO Box 20920, Billings, MT 59104, or Billings Studio Theatre, 1500 Rimrock Road, Billings, MT 59102.
Bob's memorial service will be held at Hope United Methodist Church, 244 Wicks Lane, Thursday, October 17 at 11 a.m.
Published by Billings Gazette from Oct. 3 to Oct. 6, 2024.
|
Linda Johnson (Baker)
Bob was a member of our Coffee group and a very nice guy! He will be missed by us. Sincere condolences to Bob's family and friends with prayers that he is at peace now. This makes me very sad as he was the third coffee group member that has passed on. Prayers for all of us as well.Ben Pederson
Bob was a great "car guy", a life long friend and a really nice person. He will be missed.
Vicki Price (Gilman)
Bob was a great guy-always a smile and a kind word and a great friend to many. He will be missed.
Gloria Fields (Wester)
Sad to say goodbye to such a great lifelong friend. I have known him since first grade at Hawthorne School. We opened Bench school as third graders. He and Donna have had an epic love affair since high school. I still have visions of them coming to the Kit Kat Cafe, holding hands as I took their order. Their son shared car interests with Bob. He was such a hard worker in his carpet and laundry business careers. The Billings tornado took out their Heights laundry and they rebuilt. It was so great to get to see Bob several times at the coffees and hear about their annual trips with inlaws. My deepest sympathies to Donna and their son.
Doug Ernest
I last saw Bob and Donna at the Pedersons in the summer of 2023. It brought back some grade school and high school memories and will remain a wonderful and lasting memory for me. Bob will be missed by many.
Doug Ernest
Doug Jenkins
Bob was a devoted husband and father, enthusiastic car guy, and businessman whose handshake was his bond. We did business for decades and never had a disagreement. He was a friend to everyone, and had a perpetual smile whenever I saw him. Mary Ann and I extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Donna, son Jake, and daughter in law Maggie. As so many have said, he will be missed. Rest in Peace, Friend.
David Bergeson
Bob was one of those guys who changed our little world just by being himself. His presence will be missed.
Dick Dustin
Bob is the only person I remember had his same car since highschool, I had seen him at a lot of car shows. He always had a smile and will be missed by every one.
Leroy DiPasquale
My condolences to Donna and family. I've known Bob since the first grade at Hawthorne school. We played together as kids and were on the same Little League team.
This has brought back some memories of our time at Hawthorne school. When we attended their were two buildings. The newest of the two had two class rooms for 1st and 2nd grade. The older building had four class rooms for 3rd and 4th grade. The older building had a bell tower with bell and rope. The teahers would pull the rope and ring the bell to call us in after recess. We also had a latrine. No heat no running water and very cold in the winter.OK, enough of that. Bob will be missed. He was one of the nice guys!
Jonathon (Jon) Moe
Sad news,indeed. Bob was a good friend at BHS and EMC. We were charter members of a business fraternity at EMC, Alpha Psi Kappa. I too will remember the smile. Blessings to Donna, family, friends, and of course the coffee group. Rest in peace, Bob.