Robert G. “Bob” Graham of Savannah, GA, died at home on July 11, 2023, at the age of 95. The cause was lung cancer.
Bob was born in Butler, PA, in 1928, to the late Anthony Graham and the late Violet (Riding) Graham. He attended Butler High School and entered the U.S. Army in 1945, joining the Eighth Army Air Force in Iceland and England. He later served in Germany during the Allied occupation following World War II.
After returning home, he joined the Pennsylvania Army National Guard as a federal employee and civilian technician. For many years he was simultaneously chief of the Organizational Maintenance Shop of the Butler detachment. Though federal employees, the OMS staff did not initially receive federal benefits. Bob spearheaded the push for benefits, which OMS workers eventually won due to his efforts. Bob retired as Chief Warrant Officer Three in 1988. He was also a longtime member and Past Master of the #769 William H. Miller F and A M in Butler, a member of Syria Temple of Pittsburgh, and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
In 1962, Bob married D. Jacquelyn McClay Arner, then of Butler. They shared nearly 50 loving years together, first in Butler, and then in Lakeland, FL. Bob was an avid golfer, bowler, bridge player, and Steeler fan, and he enjoyed baking, gardening, and working Bingo at the Sandpiper clubhouse in Lakeland. Many will remember him for his wicked grin; he loved to laugh and to make others laugh.
Bob moved to Savannah, GA, in 2022 to be closer to his stepson, Roger (Faith) Arner, who he is survived by. He is also survived by his two grandchildren, Geoffery (Perrin) Arner of New York, NY and Caitlin Arner of Duxbury, MA; his sister, Marilyn Tynan of Butler, PA, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his wife, Jacque, his son, Anthony “Tony” Graham, his stepdaughter, Sally Arner, and seven of his eight brothers and sisters.
Viewing will be on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm at Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, Inc. 124 East North St. Butler, PA 16001. A funeral service will take place on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at 10am at the funeral home with Rev. Kimberly van Driel of First English Lutheran Church officiating.
Burial will be at Lawn Haven Burial Estates in Worthington, Pennsylvania.
Bob’s family would like to thank the very kind and fun staff at Thrive on Skidaway and the dedicated nurses and aides from Spanish Oaks Retreat in Savannah for taking such good care of him.
Please join us in remembering Bob by leaving your memories and uploading photos to his memorial page at www.thompson-miller.com.