Robert Daniel Housley, a true pillar of society, family man, founder and owner of Housley Communications, left to be with the Lord Tuesday, December 15th peacefully in his home.
Bob was born August 21, 1939 in Carlisle, Arkansas to Harold and Nettie Housley. The second of six children, he devoted himself to the family rice and soybean farm as well as his Valley View State Championship Basketball team. Bob went on to acquire his pilot’s license at the ripe age of 17, which would prove to be a lifelong passion he would continue into his eighties.
He served in the National Guard during the 1957 Integration Crisis at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, aiding in the protection of the first integrated students in the United States.
Bob married his high school sweetheart, and love of his life, Mona Lee Saunders in 1958. Bob worked for Texas International Aviation beginning in 1962, leading his family to travel and live all over the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Texas, until his transfer to the town he considered home, San Angelo, in 1976. During this time, Bob and Mona welcomed their two children, Cindee and Kevin. In 1980, Bob founded Housley Communications, growing it to be one of the largest telecommunications companies in the area and reaching to Mexico and South Africa.
A known philanthropist, Bob proudly supported the West Texas Rehab, Lighthouse for the Blind, and many other local organizations. He served as a board trustee at First Financial Bank and Angelo State University.
Despite being a self-made businessman, philanthropist, husband, and father, his greatest accomplishment was being “Boppa” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, older sister Donna Fuqua and his beloved son, Kevin Housley.
He is survived by his wife Mona; brothers Tucker and Edward Housley, sisters Kay Hunter and Deborah Angel; daughter, Cynthia Woods, daughter-in-law, Vicki Housley, and loved-like-a-daughter Kay Brown. Other survivors include his
grandchildren Sam Housley, Jessica Chesshire, Symphony Fischer, Christopher Housley, as well as Kay’s daughter Krishawna Hagar.
His great-grandchildren include Lily and Hayes Fischer; Kollins, McCrea, and Mason Chesshire; and Camden and Carter Housley.
We pray that you rest now, wonderful man. Please, don’t worry any more. Know that the thoughtful love and care you gave freely in this life survives in us. It will sustain us. It will live on, as we do our best to share it with others as you did.
A memorial will be held Saturday at 2pm at Sierra Vista UMC. A live stream will be available on the Sierra Vista United Methodist Church Facebook page and at www.sierravista.org. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to West Texas Rehab.
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