Robert William McClure, Sr., age 87, a resident of Florence, died Wednesday morning, November 1, 2023, at Helen Keller Hospital. He was a longtime resident of Lauderdale County and a longtime member of the Jacksonburg Church of Christ, serving as a deacon and then elder for over 50 years. He graduated from T.M. Rogers High in 1954, attended Florence State College for a semester, and was a 68-year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local #558. Once retired, he followed with a 25-year career as a fulltime grandfather and great-grandfather, his favorite job of all.
Robert, also known as Bobby Mac and Big Bob, was best described as a loving husband to his wife of 65 years, father, grandfather and great-grandfather to an ever-growing clan. He was happy at home piddling in his garage, watching sports on TV or listening on the radio. He enjoyed traveling and meals out with friends, coaching his kids, attending and recording thousands of ballgames played by his grandchildren.
A visitation will be Sunday from 1:00-2:50 November 5, 2023 at Greenview Funeral Home followed by a funeral service at 3:00 in Greenview Memorial Chapel. Garry Gooch will be the officiating minister with burial to follow in Greenview Memorial Park.
He is survived by his two sons, Robert W. (Bobby) McClure, Jr. and wife Angie, of Athens, Barry W. McClure and wife Sandy, of Huntsville; one daughter, Melissa (Missy) McClure Nichols and husband Kent, of Tupelo, MS; eight grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; sister Johnnie Lynn Watkins and husband Douglas, of Florence; sisters-in-law Martha Heupel of Florence and Linda Pace of Muscle Shoals; and brother-in-law Jerry Warren of Florence.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Clara Mae Warren McClure; and his parents, Rufas Alvin McClure and Belva Margaret Davis McClure.
Active pallbearers will be Dustin Haithcock, John Michael Stutts, Landon McWhirter, Justin Ward, Will Nichols, Kent Nichols. Honorary bearers will be the elders of the Jacksonburg Church of Christ.
For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Special thanks to the staff at Keestone Assisted Living, and the nurses with Amedisys Home Health Care, Helen Keller Hospital and Alabama Hospice of the Shoals.
