Bob (Robert Nelson) Waggener was born in Martin, TN, April 19, 1931, third of three children of Lewis Arthur and Lydia Ethel Waggener. After his birth the family moved to Springfield, IL. After his father died, his mother married William T. Bandy Sr., a farmer and dairyman living near Edinburg, IL. At age seven, Bob joined a stepfamily of nine boys and three girls. He joined the Army two days after his 17th birthday, before finishing his third year of high school. While serving the Army, Bob completed high school, was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Commerce by the University of Maryland and a Master of Science in Administration by The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. After nine years service in the enlisted ranks, he attended Infantry Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant, of Armor. He graduated from Basic Armor Officers Course at Fort Knox, KY; Adjutant General Advanced Course at Fort B, Harrison, IN; Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS and Industrial College of the Armed Forces at Fort McNair, Washington, DC.During his more than 39 year Army career, Bob served various posts in the United States; two tours of duty at The Pentagon and others at Okinawa, Germany and Vietnam. He retired June 30, 1987 as a Colonel .He was a member of Sam R. Hamilton, AF&AM, Dallas Scottish Rite of Freemasonry and Hella Shriners, A.A.O.N.M.S. Bob and Joyce met while he was stationed at Camp (Fort) Hood, Texas and were married September 30, 1950. They had three children, Georgia, Timothy and Selia. They made their home in Grand Prairie. Bob is preceded in death by his wife Joyce and his parents. He is survived by his daughter Georgia Allen, husband Harvey, son Timothy Waggener, wife Ande, daughter Selia Williams, husband Jason, grandchildren Sasha, Emma and Jacob, great-granddaughter Isabella and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
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