Robert Wills Crain was born on June 19, 1931, in Jefferson City, Mo. He departed his earthly life on Sept. 1, 2010, at the age of 79.
He was the only child of Reba Mary (Norman) and Ward Wills Crain. After losing both parents as a young child, Bob was raised by his aunt and uncle, Ben and Elda Callaway and his grandparents, Dr. Robert M. and Melissa Norman.
Bob graduated from Ava High School in 1949 and then attended Drury College in Springfield, Mo. After college, he sold new and used cars until he joined his uncle, Ben Callaway at Callaway Oil Company in Ava. He later bought the business and operated it until his retirement in June 1993.
Bob was also a member of the National Guard as well as playing the trumpet for the 35th Division Infantry Band. He was an avid lifelong golfer and loved all types of music, especially jazz and music from the Big Band era.
Bob was a member of the Ava United Methodist Church where he had attended services his entire life.
He is survived by his wife, Delores, of Ava; one daughter Leigh Ann (Crain) Heriford and her husband, Randy, and three beloved grandchildren, Adam Robert, Cody Randall, and Olivia Leigh Heriford, all of Ava; cousins, Tom and Ada Crain, of Chadwick, Elise Crain, of Ozark, and Cynthia (Callaway) and Art Farnham, of Wichita, Kan.; as well as several nieces and nephews and many wonderful friends and church family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ava United Methodist Church in Bob’s memory.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 4, at the Ava United Methodist Church with Pastor Marty Blakey officiating. Visitation will be Saturday, 9 a.m. to service time at the church. Interment will be in the Ava Cemetery.
Services are under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
