William Robert "Bob" Shafer

William Robert (Bob) Shafer left this earth peacefully and quietly on March 8, 2025, at the age of 88 with family members and friends by his side. Bob was born in 1937 in the little rural community of Ding Dong, Texas in western Bell County. He attended his first school at Youngsport, later Sharp, and in Temple where he graduated from Temple High School in 1955. He received his AA degree from Temple College in 1957 and began a long career as a sales representative first at Gray International and later Longhorn International in Temple for which he received many awards; he outfitted such notable clients as Drayton McLane. One of his passion was cars. He was well known early on among his peers in the 1950s and 60s for his knowledge and expertise building and racing dragsters. His pride was the little red 1940 sedan that was used at weddings and exhibited at antique car club events, the proceeds of which went to Toys for Tots and many other charitable events. He carried that passion for cars throughout his life, attending numerous Indianapolis 500 races, and even driving a race car in a demo at Texas Motor Speedway. He was a loving, devoted husband to the love of his life Deborah for fifty years. Bob was known for his generosity and helping the underprivileged as a volunteer at the Temple Community Clinic, Feed My Sheep, Peaceable Kingdom, and many other charitable organizations. In his midlife Bob was an avid hunter, gaining leases in Texas, Colorado, and Alaska. He and Deborah were active members of Temple Bible Church and hosted Bible studies in their home. Bob was also fond of travel. He and Deborah traveled extensively across the country including the birthplace in Virginia of Thomas Nelson, a distant grandfather who signed the Declaration of Independence. They also journeyed to several countries in Europe, including Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, and Italy.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, William C. and Virginia Shafer, his mother-in-law Marie Adamek, and cousin Madge Turnbo Wendler. He is survived by his loving wife Deborah, brother Harry Joe Shafer, nieces, Julie Shafer (Casey) McDonough, Mia McDonough, Zuri Shafer, and Alexandra Shafer, nephews Joe A. (Carmella) Shafer, and Noah Shafer, and many cousins. Bob also had many close friends from childhood in Temple, church, his car clubs, and travel companions including Dr. John and Alice Leadbeater.

The Shafer family would like to express their sincere gratitude to all the excellent care givers at the Baylor Scott and White network. A special thank you extended to Dr. Jack Myers, who was Bob's primary physician for many years.

Services will be held at Temple Bible Church - Creekside Thursday, March 13, 2025. Visitation is at 1:00 pm with funeral services at 2:00 pm. Burial will be at Seaton cemetery following the funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Temple Bible Church and Temple Community Clinic.