Robert Willis Noel

Robert Willis Noel, of Groesbeck, passed away at home on Saturday, February 15, 2020, at age 65.

A Memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at Bethel Baptist Church in Groesbeck, with Pastor Johnny Pearson officiating.

Robert was born September 1, 1954 to Johnny Russell Noel and Etta Lenora Dyess Noel at home in Box Church.    The family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where Robert grew up and attended school.

Robert married Bonnie R. Decker, his high school sweetheart, in Phoenix on December 7, 1973, while he was 19 years old and she was 17 years old.  He worked in his family’s tire shop.

In July 1976, after his grandmother passed away, Robert and Bonnie moved back to Box Church in Limestone County, Texas.  Robert’s working life involved driving.  He was a Groesbeck ISD school bus driver for a while, and his daughter Jeanne loved to ride on the bus with him before she was old enough to be in school.   He changed to work for Limestone County in road maintenance and later drove a cement truck for Gifford Hill in Mexia.  He then was a long-haul truck driver making trips over 48 states, until he retired in 2010.

Robert loved playing golf and was on the Senior League of Battle Lake Golf Course, playing every Tuesday.    He also loved to fish, especially with the grand kids, anywhere the fish were biting, whether in the tank, river, or lake.    It was strictly only “catch and release” or give away the really good fish. 

Robert was a total sports fan of all TV sports, from football, basketball, especially golf, but even soccer and rugby.    The kids learned that even though he may call on them to change the channels, they had better not get in front of the TV causing him to miss seeing any of the action. And he did not watch silently but was vocal with the action on the screen. 

Robert enjoyed the grandchildren, who called him Pops, and he really loved the great grandchildren.   For the past year or two, he spent time soqn on the floor playing with the little ones, and making funny noises to get them to laugh.  He even changed diapers and fed them.  He will be missed by all.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Johnnie Russell Noel; sister-in-law Betty Jean Noel; and nephew, Christopher Noel.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Noel of Groesbeck; daughter and son-in-law, Jeanne and Rodney McClatchy of Teague; son and daughter-in-law, Robert Noel, Jr. and Natasha Wasylyszyn of Thornton; seven grandchildren: Aaron, Roland, Haley, Kyler, Ashlee, Trendall, and Jacob; five great grandchildren: Alaina, Oliver, McKinleigh, Cassandra, and Gage.  He is also survived by two brothers, Billy Wayne Noel of Groesbeck and James Richard Noel of Marlin; a sister, Mickie Joan Colvin of Arizona; several nieces and nephews; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Fred and Alice Decker of Groesbeck; and brothers-in-law, Fred Decker III of Groesbeck and Tommy Decker of Forest Glade.