Bobby Joe Riddle

Bobby Joe Riddle was born January 4, 1940, in Maryville, Tennessee, and was adopted by Dock Riddle and Leatha (Feezell) Riddle. He passed away peacefully on August 9, 2026, at his home in McDonough, Georgia, surrounded by his family.

Bob began his career serving his country as Air Police in the United States Air Force, stationed in Belgium, from September 17, 1959, to September 16, 1963. Following his military service, he built a long career with Delta Airlines in Atlanta, Georgia, working for 28 years as a lead customer service agent. After retiring from Delta, Bob stayed active and took on several other jobs.

Bob had a true competitive spirit, whether on the football field, the tennis court, the golf course, or over a card or board game. He loved the freedom of riding his motorcycle. He had a gift for connecting with people — he could start a conversation with a stranger and end it with a friend. But his greatest pride and joy was always his family; he loved bragging about the successes and accomplishments of everyone in his life.

Bob was married to his first wife, Wilma (Sanford) Riddle, who passed away on July 7, 2003. In May 2005, he married Sandra Thompson Riddle, who remained his loving wife until his passing.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Dock Riddle and Leatha (Feezell) Riddle, and his first wife, Wilma (Sanford) Riddle.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra Riddle; his children, Patricia Riddle Beeckman (husband Dirk de Saffel), Neil Riddle (wife Haeyoung Riddle), Angeline “Niki” Johnson (husband Jerry Johnson), Rebecca Layfield (husband Stan Layfield), and Lisa Smith (husband Jeremy Smith); his grandchildren, Nick Dewaele, Glenn Dewaele, Cori Riddle Bentler (husband Christian Bentler), Leslie Gillen (husband Andrew Gillen), Elizabeth Riddle, Jack Riddle, Gavin Mitchell (wife Maria Mitchell), Alicia Santoyo, Amaya Santoyo, Bryson Smith (Makena Hughes), and Madison Smith (Dylan Fryer); and his great-grandchildren, Ricky Mitchell and Matthew Mitchell, with a great-grandchild expected soon from granddaughter Leslie and her husband Andrew.

A family viewing will be held Monday, August 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a public viewing at 12:00 p.m., with the funeral service beginning at 1:00 p.m., all at Hastings Funeral Home, 1745 S Zack Hinton Pkwy, McDonough, GA 30253.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the McDonough Humane Society (henryhumane.com/support-us) or to Blood Cancer United (bloodcancerunited.org).