Graham

Robert G. “Bob” Graham of Savannah, Ga., died at home on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at the age of 95. The cause was lung cancer.

Bob was born in Butler, 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&AM 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, Fla. Bob was an avid golfer, bowler, bridge player and Steelers 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, N.Y., and Caitlin Arner, of Duxbury, Mass.; his sister, Marilyn Tynan, of Butler; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, Jacque; his son, Anthony “Tony” Graham; his stepdaughter, Sally Arner; and seven of his eight brothers and sisters.

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.

GRAHAM — Viewing for Robert G. “Bob” Graham, who died Tuesday, July 11, 2023, will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME, 124 E. North St., Butler.

A funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Kimberly van Driel of First English Lutheran Church officiating.

Burial will be at Lawn Haven Burial Estates in Worthington, Pa.

Please join us in remembering Bob by leaving your memories and uploading photos to his memorial page at www.thompson-miller.com

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.