Robert B. Woolson

Bob was born on June 26, 1920, in Detroit, Michigan to the late Robert B. and Elizabeth Gunn Woolson. He graduated from high school in 1939 from Morgan Park Military Academy in Chicago, Illinois and attended college at the Citadel Military College in Charleston, South Carolina until he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1941.

Bob had the honor of flying 35 combat missions during World War II as a B-24 co-pilot, including two on D-Day. He continued his service after the war in various positions including as a photomapping officer in the Philippines, a tactical teaching officer at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, and as a T-33 flight instructor and base civil engineer at Foster Field in Victoria, Texas. He retired from the Air Force in 1962 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

He married Frances Dysart of Victoria on May 7, 1955. They continued to live in Victoria where he founded Woolson Real Estate in 1965. Bob continued his professional career in real estate until his retirement in 1992. He had the privilege of serving as the president of the Victoria Board of Realtors in 1968 and 1985, and was selected as Realtor of the Year by the Board in 1970.

He and Fran were founding members of Westminster Bible Church. Bob committed his life to Jesus Christ as a result of the bible-based ministry of the church and served the church for many years as an elder.

Bob reentered the world of aviation in 1980 when he began his training as a hot air balloon pilot. He received his pilot’s certification in 1981, and enjoyed many years of flying his multicolored “Windjammer” balloon over the skies of Victoria.

He is survived by his wife Frances; two sons, Bruce (Elaine) of Victoria, and Wade (Sara) of Hernando, Mississippi; and three grandchildren, David Woolson, James Woolson, and Bradley Woolson.

Visitation services will be held on Wednesday, September 19, 2012, from 7-8 p.m. at Rosewood Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 20, 2012, at Rosewood Funeral Home with the Reverend Charles W. Raup officiating.

Pallbearers will be David Woolson, James Woolson, Bradley Woolson, Dale Garner, Larry Smith, and J.D. Gray.

The family would like to thank all those who provided Bob with such great care and assistance in his last days. In particular, our thanks go out to Birdie Barfield, Sonia Cavazos, Reyes Sherman and her wonderful caregivers, the nurses of DeTar 4 East, Dr. Larry Riedel, Dr. Terry Whitehouse and the staff of Hospice of South Texas.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com,