Robert "Bob" William Blakley

Robert William Blakley, 81, passed away peacefully on February 17, 2026.

Born January 22, 1945, in Hamlet, North Carolina, Robert was the son of the late Lester and Mary Hackney Blakley. He grew up in Richmond County, North Carolina, where he graduated from Richmond County High School.

Immediately after high school, Robert answered the call to serve his country by joining the United States Marine Corps. He later transferred to the United States Air Force, where he served in Vietnam as an aircraft mechanic. His dedication, precision, and strong work ethic defined his military career, from which he eventually retired with pride.

After leaving the Air Force, Robert carried his lifelong passion for aviation into a second career as an aircraft mechanic with TIMCO, eventually retiring after many dedicated years.

In his personal life, Robert was a master gardener who took pride in caring for his plants and found peace in working in his garden. He also enjoyed woodworking, creating pieces with the same quiet craftsmanship he brought to every part of his life.

Robert was known for being quiet and reserved, yet unmistakably stubborn in the best sense—steadfast in his beliefs and loyal to those he loved. He had a dry sense of humor that often surfaced at just the right moment. A devoted family man, he showed unwavering love and compassion as a caregiver to his late wife, Gladys, and to his beloved companion of 15 years, Caroline. Loyalty was one of Robert’s defining traits, and those who knew him well understood just how strong and enduring that loyalty was.

In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by his wife Gladys White Blakley; brother, Buck Blakley; and brother-in-law, Olus Gilstrap.

His memory will forever be treasured by his children, Tracie Blakley of Wilmington, NC, and Amanda Mullins (Richard) of Regalwood, NC; stepchildren, Woody Fuller (Beverly) of Byron, GA, and Ed Fuller (Brenda) of Centerville, GA; grandchildren, Cody Blakley, Kelsey Currie, Brandon Currie, Caroline Richards, Angel Mullins, Gracie Mullins, and Noah Mullins; step grandchildren, Brandon Bowman, Brad Bowman, Sarah Newell, and Lauren Fuller; 6 great great grandchildren; sister, Betty Gilstrap; and companion of fifteen years, Caroline Dykes.

Visitation will be Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at McCullough Funeral Home with a funeral service immediately following in the chapel. Afterward, Robert will be laid to rest privately at Evergreen Cemetery.

For friends unable to attend at this time, the service will be streamed live at https://www.youtube.com/@McCulloughFuneralHome via the McCullough Funeral Home’s YouTube page.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.