Robert Watley

Robert Lee Watley, 74, of Waco, passed away Friday, July 29, 2022.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00am, Saturday, August 6, 2022, at New Zion Baptist Church in McGregor.  Burial will follow at McGregor Cemetery.

Bobby was born July 24, 1948, the second of ten children to the late Willie Lee and Mattie Ree Watley.  Bobby grew up in Florence, New Jersey.  He was baptized by the late Rev. A.P. Myers at First Baptist Church in Florence Estates, New Jersey. He attended and graduated from Edgewood Regional High School in Winslow, New Jersey, where he played football and was the captain of the wrestling team. After high school, he joined the United States Army. He continued to play football, as well as, participated in heavy weight boxing, throughout this military career.

The love of Lee’s life was Ada Watley, whom he cherished, loved, and honored for the last 47 years. Theirs was a great love story and Lee loved Ada until he took his last breath.  He had a close and loving relationship with his siblings. They enjoyed his famous barbecued ribs and sauces, and Bobby was certainly at home with his Chef’s apron, standing over a grill, with man’s best friend, Cesear, next to him. He loved music. You could often find him sitting in a chair tapping his foot to the music that he loved. On any given weekend, Bobby would be outside detailing his cars. He enjoyed all of the vehicles he purchased throughout his life, but his Candy Apple Little Red Corvette was his pride and joy.

Brother Watley was a BIG PERSONALITY and when he walked into a room, he made his presence known. He enjoyed being a Deacon and serving the members of his community and New Zion Baptist Church. Bobby has always known Jesus but in recent years, his relationship with Christ deepened. You could count on Bobby to pray with you and for you. Rest assured, if he could not pray for you directly, he would leave a prayer on your voice mail.

We are grateful that God gave him 74 years. Each of us are grateful for the time we were able to spend with him. He will be missed by all. We are believing that he, Dad, Poppy, Robert, Bobby, Lee, Brother Watley, is now at peace and resting in the arms of Jesus.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Matthew and Theodore; sister, Donna; and daughter, Angela Washington.

Bobby is survived by his wife, Ada; daughters, Signora (Tish) Byrd, Valarie McLeain and husband, Tommy, and Christine Watley; sons, Stan Watley and wife, Amy and Frederick Douglas Gloster and wife, Angelia; grandchildren, Marshall Sean, Christopher Byrd, Angel Byrd, Ton’Eishia Washington, Destinee Robinson, DaNeshea Robinson, Tommy McLeain, Jr. and wife, Marquia, Lauren Watley, Ayonna and India Watley, Cynvonica Arcenueax ; great-grandchildren, Baileigh, Bausten, Braxton McLeain and Nyheim Watley; brothers, Billy, James, and Charles and wife, Trudy; sisters, Deloris, Mary and Marie and husband, Robert; uncle, Horace H. Johnson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.