Robert Swilling

Bobby Swilling, 59, of Whitney was urgently called home by the Lord on Thursday, March 20, 2014. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, at the Open Range Cowboy Church in Whitney. Burial will follow at Bethlehem Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, March 24, at Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Whitney.

He was born December 17, 1954, to R. T. (Rabbit) and Mattie (Virginia) Swilling. He attended Whitney Schools, graduating from high school in 1973. Bobby played both golf and football from an early age. He was a member of one of the first Whitney High School golf teams and they brought home District Titles two years in a row. He attended Hill Junior College on a golf scholarship and also later attended Temple Junior College.

Bobby was passionate about life and lived it to the fullest, especially in his younger years. His first love was music – all kinds of music – and “Elvis was King”. Besides Elvis, some of his favorite artists included Conway Twitty, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Credence Clearwater and Stevie Ray Vaughan, but there were so many more. He had a band, Bob Swilling and the Country Moods, that played at Cottonwood Hall and in other small local dance halls in the area. He tried for a while to pursue a singing career and once traveled to Nashville at the invitation of Whitey Shafer, where he met several country music legends including Lefty Frezzell.

His friend Bubba was responsible for introducing him to the love of his life, Susan Standefer, and they married on June 25, 1977 at First United Methodist Church in Hillsboro. They lived in Houston for the first few years while he worked for Brown and Root at the ship channel. Several friends lived in Houston at the time and they spent many lively weekends with them at Mickey Gilley’s Club or at other venues that featured good country music. When the oil industry and much of Houston’s economy took a nose dive, he relocated his wife and son, Matt, to Whitney where he opened The Brazos Club, bringing his country music passion into the small community of Whitney. His two daughters, Angie and Becky, were both born at Whitney Hospital and the family became firmly planted in Whitney. He was fortunate to be able to raise his family in Whitney, where his parents and beloved Aunt Catherine lived. His precious older sister, Pat, and brother (in law), Jack, and two of their children also made their homes in Whitney and the families have all been blessed by the frequent and memorable gatherings of the Swilling and Basham clans.

He was an avid history buff and sports fan, especially The Texas Longhorns and Dallas Cowboys. His ability to instantly recall all facts related to his favorite topics usually made him king of trivial pursuit. You can be assured that all family vacations included a stop or two at various historical sites across Texas. Talk radio was a companion to Bobby while on the road as a salesman. One of his most exciting moments was when he was able to talk with Bill O’Reilly on air.

If you knew Bobby, you would know that he could talk people into most anything, so a long time career in the sales industry was a natural transition. His persistent nature propelled him into a successful sales career, where he often earned top honors while working for places such as Waco Memorial Park, Greet America, and Evans Enterprises, Inc. He entered into his most recent venture with long time friend, Mickey Way, in the gold and silver buying business and worked there until his death.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife, Susan; his sister, Pat Basham and husband, Jack, of Whitney; his children, Matt Swilling and wife, Jennifer, of McKinney, Angie Rentz and husband, Brad, of San Antonio, and Becky Swilling of Austin; four grandchildren, Elaina, Claire, and Amelia Rentz and Max Swilling; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, and countless friends.

Funeral Service

2:00 PM ,Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Open Range Cowboy Church
582 FM 1713 Whitney, TX, Hill 76692

Visitation

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ,Monday, March 24, 2014
Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Whitney
201 North Bosque Whitney, TX, Hill 76692

Burial

Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Bethlehem Cemetery
Whitney, Texas 76692