Bobby Gene (Bob) Killian

​  Mr. Bobby “Bob” Gene Killian, 83, of Cleveland, NC, passed away, Friday, September 25, 2015 at Iredell Memorial Hospital.             Mr. Killian was born January 22, 1932 in Gastonia, NC and was the son of the late Howard Melvin Killian and Ossie Mae Cherry Killian. He attended Rowan County Schools and served in the U.S. Navy from 1954-1958. On November 26, 1983, he married Patricia “Pat” Fraley Killian, who survives of the home and he was a member of Hebron Baptist Church. He worked for China Grove Cotton Mills for a number of years and retired from Hoechst-Celanese in Salisbury following 22 years of service.  He loved spending time with his wife and daughters and enjoyed working in the yard, keeping in touch with his navy buddies and had a great love for animals, especially dogs.             In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Bobbie Lynne Killian of Cleveland, NC, Laura Elizabeth Killian of Cleveland, NC, Vickie Ann Hunter of Rockwell, NC, one grandson, Jeff (Karen) Mayhew, one granddaughter, Jodie Poteat and seven great-grandchildren; 10 USS Bennington “B” Division brothers, Jim Spielvogel, Bill Batson, Charlie Russo, George Britt, Bill Sullivan, Ken Bartholomew, Steve Leeds, Bill O’Shaughnessy, Hank Jensen and Art Spanger and the late Bill Akey.             He was preceded in death by one brother, Howard L. Killian, one sister, Shirley Price and his precious “Molly.”             Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, September 28, 2015 at Hebron Baptist Church with Rev. Darren Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in China Grove, NC. The family will visit with friends Sunday evening 7:30-9:00 p.m. at Hebron Baptist Church.             Memorials may be made to Hebron Baptist Church, 175 Hebron Road, Statesville, NC 28625 or to the Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary, 220 Grace Church Road, Salisbury, NC 28147 and online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com Nicholson Funeral Home of Statesville is serving the family.