Bobby Ray Killian

HICKORY—Bobby Ray Killian, 86, of Hickory passed away at Catawba Valley Medical Center, Tuesday, August 07, 2018. Born in Catawba County, on August 27, 1931, he was the son of the late Emory Clayton and Myrtle Herman Killian. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Jo Anne Eckard Killian. Bob was raised in an era where hard work was expected and necessary. According to Bob, he began working at the age of six. He picked cotton, worked as a farm hand, and worked twenty years in construction as a brick and rock mason. Bob was well respected in this business and his masonry was impeccable. The rainy seasons affected masons financially. Being an entrepreneur, Bob found a solution to remedy the loss by selling tires from his basement as a sideline. Side Line Tire became full-time Bob Killian Tire Sales. Bob never stopped working there devoting sixty years to the business. Bob made a hobby of collecting cars, especially Mustangs. He could recall every car that he bought and how much he paid for it. Most family pictures also included a car in the background! This love of cars led him to be involved in the creation and ownership of Auto Sports. Bob liked to reward his family with food. After his wife, Jo Anne, died he made surprise night time doughnut deliveries to all of the families for quite a while until sadly our waistlines prohibited this! He would deliver sweets and nuts to his sons and grandsons at both businesses on a regular basis. Every Friday evening, his family could expect a call from him asking, “Anybody want to go fishing?” This was his way of asking if we were coming to join him to eat at Captain’s Galley. This is a fond memory for us as we recall how he chuckled when he called us. Death may have claimed our father, father-in-law, grandpa, and great-grandpa but it cannot steal our memories of a life that spanned the vast changes during his 86 years. Bob’s wisdom, appreciation of family and cars, strong work ethic, ambition, drive, ability to overcome obstacles, and, unfortunately, his love for sweets has passed on to other generations of his family. He is gone but not forgotten. We will persevere with all he has taught us! He is survived by his daughter Bobbette K. Pyne and husband Al of Maiden; sons Rick Killian and wife Teresa of Hickory, Andy Killian and wife Mary of Hickory, and Todd Killian and wife Christine of Hickory; granddaughters Amy Killian of Conover, Abby Killian and fiancé Zach Bryant of Hickory and Lily Killian of Hickory; grandsons Justin Killian and wife Tara of Hickory, Andrew Killian of Hickory, Adam Killian of Conover; great granddaughters Emory Killian of Hickory and Ashton Killian of Hickory; great grandson Jordan Killian of Raleigh and a special friend Alva Eckard. The family will have a reception, Saturday, August 11, 2018 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in the fellowship hall. The funeral will be held Saturday, August 11, 2018 at 2:30 pm at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church with Reverend Scott Bollinger officiating. Burial will follow in church cemetery with his sons, grandsons and son-in-law serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Andrew Mason, Billy Huffman, Zach Bryant and Randy Sigmon. ,Memorial gifts may be made to Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, 4420 County Home Road, Conover, NC 28613. Arrangements are with Hickory Funeral Home.