Bobby Dean Ashley breathed his last breath on the evening of May 8th, 2026 surrounded by wife and family in Huntsville, AL. He is received into the arms of his faithful Savior Jesus Christ.
Bobby was born on August 15th, 1943 in Lodi, Arkansas to Dewey and Gertie Ashley. Bobby grew up in Mt. Pine, Arkansas with his family later graduating from Mt. Pine High School.
Bobby would then join the United States Navy in 1964 as an Aviation Fire Control Technician serving at the Naval Air Station in Glynco, Georgia. Bobby served faithfully and was honorably discharged in 1968 earning the National Defense Service Medal during his time.
During his time in the Navy, Bobby married Bonnie Jean Ashley (Howell) of Amity, Arkansas on December 27th, 1965. The two touched countless lives sharing their love and faith with their community.
Following his service in the Navy, Bobby was employed by Phelps Dodge manufacturing company in Fordyce, Arkansas making commercial wire. Bobby began as a machine operator then maintenance technician before finally being promoted to an Electrical Engineer. Phelps Dodge closed down and Bobby briefly moved to Newport, Arkansas to construct the Independence Power Plant for Arkansas Power and Light (APL). Bobby then returned to Fordyce as an Electrical Engineer for the Alcatel corporation manufacturing communications wiring.
Bobby and Bonnie also became faithful members of Beech Grove Baptist Church where they served over 20 years in many capacities until 1993. Bobby served as a Deacon of the church for many of those years.
In 1994, Bobby took his family to Hartselle, Alabama, joining Cerro Wire as an Electrical Engineer following the closure of Alcatel. Bobby and Bonnie raised their family in Hartselle until his eventual retirement in 2016. Concluding a working career of more than 50 years.
Bobby retired to care for his wife Bonnie until she passed on September 24th, 2017.
Bobby was a member of West Hartselle Baptist Church and eventually joined Gum Springs Baptist Church where he served as Deacon for close to 15 years.
Bobby married Judy Mitchell Looney on February 27th, 2022. Together they faithfully served Gum Spring Baptist Church as Sunday School teachers, Pastor Search committee members, Vacation Bible School Directors and mascots, Nursery workers along with countless other unspoken duties.
Bobby and Judy lived fully, never stopping their work but also enjoyed each other’s company in retirement in travels to the beach and on sea. Bobby and Judy shared a deep love and were extremely happy together until his last day.
Bobby was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years Bonnie, parents Dewey and Gertie Ashley, brother-in-laws J.T. Redden, Kenneth Thornton, and Junior Carpenter, and sister-in-law Freda Carpenter.
Bobby is survived by his wife Judy Mitchell Ashley, children Justin Ashley of Hartselle, Alabama and Joseph Ashley (Johanna) of Huntsville, Alabama, grandchildren Madison Wade (Brody) Huntsville, Samuel Ashley of Anchorage, Alaska, Camila Ashley, and Elias Ashley both of Huntsville, siblings Wanda Redden of Mt Pine, Arkansas, Billy Ashley (Carolyn) of Benton, Arkansas, and Bettie Ashley of Glenwood, Arkansas, sisters-in-law Floy Mae Thornton of Glenwood, Arkansas, Teresa Phillips of Decatur, Alabama, and Peggy Griffith (Maurice) of Somerville, Alabama, and many nieces and nephews which he loved dearly.
Bobby was a man best known for his faith in God and his Savior Jesus Christ. Bobby lived everyday as a disciple of his Lord displaying the fruits of the Spirit described by Paul in Galatians 5, which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Bobby always loved God first but then family and extended family so deeply. Bobby beamed with the light of Christ by sharing his life with all those who count themselves lucky to have known him. He was a man who lived by example and was a great Husband, Father, Grandfather, Uncle, Brother, Friend, and Mentor. He will be sorely missed on this Earth, but is greeted as a faithful servant into God’s Heavenly Kingdom.
Visitation for Bobby Ashley:
Saturday May 23rd at 11:00 AM – 1:00 pm at
Peck Funeral Home
1600 Hwy 31 SW
Hartselle, AL 35640
Funeral Service to follow at 1:00 PM
With graveside service and refreshments at:
Gum Springs Baptist Church
371 Gum Springs Rd
Hartselle, AL 35640
Pallbearers will be members of church family and family.
Peck Funeral Home
