Robert Wilson

Robert Phillip “Bob” Wilson, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, was born in Seattle, Washington, on March 21, 1948, to Woodrow and Grace Steele.

Bob’s life began with loss, as his biological father passed away, just two weeks before Bob and his twin brother, William “Bill,” were born.

When Bob was three years old, his mother married Mel Wilson, and the family moved to a farm on Independence Road, near Outlook.

The Wilson family later returned to Seattle, where Bob attended several schools as he grew up and his family continued to grow with the addition of more siblings. Eventually, the family moved to Ellensburg, where Bob helped his grandparents on the farm. He survived many adventures he told us about growing up, including a hay hook to the leg, secretly tearing the wound open again when messing around with his brother, as well as a metal broom to the head from his sister for not listening, just to name a few.

He graduated with the class of 1966. Following graduation, Bob enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served for two years during the Vietnam War. He was fortunate to be stationed in Germany rather than being sent directly to Vietnam, where he helped operate an Army mechanic garage. He was honorably discharged and returned to Ellensburg, beginning work at Major and Thomas Garage.

In 1970, Bob married his first wife, Susan Harder, and together they welcomed their daughter, Wendie Marie. Although their marriage later ended in 1972, Bob’s journey with friends Bill and Dorothy Starkey, eventually led him to the love of his life and his other half, Darlene Joy Seyler. They were married on June 14, 1975, beginning a partnership that would last 51 years.

Bob and Darlene began their married life in Union Gap, before relocating to Grandview, where they welcomed their daughter, Amanda, in 1976. It was during their years in Grandview that Bob and Darlene also began a lifelong friendship with Duane and Delores Ulsh. What started as a friendship grew into a bond that lasted through decades of celebrations, adventures, laughter, and heartache. The Ulsh family became an important part of Bob and Darlene’s lives, and those friendships remained treasured throughout the years and to this day.

During the early years of their marriage, Bob worked as the service manager at Rutledge Motors in Toppenish and later at Lee Peterson Motors in Yakima. He then worked at Hall Chevrolet in Prosser, before joining his father-in-law at Hanford in 1981.

That same year, on Christmas Day, Bob and Darlene welcomed their son, Dustin, after a several-hour adventure making their way to Yakima Hospital through blizzard-like conditions. It was an adventure that fit perfectly into the story of Bob’s life, determined to get where he needed to go, no matter what the weather had in store.

Bob spent 28 years at Hanford, working in various garages before eventually becoming the Lead Light Duty Fire Mechanic for the Hanford Fire Garage. He took great pride in his work. He especially enjoyed traveling to Pierce Fire in Wisconsin to help select and purchase new fire apparatus and rigs for Hanford. His mechanical knowledge, dedication, and willingness to help others made him a valued part of the Hanford family.

Bob’s life was about much more than his work. He was a man who loved being surrounded by people, especially his family and friends. He loved to tell stories, and those stories had a way of taking on a life of their own. Many began with his familiar opening, “He sits there and he says…” and everyone knew they were in for a story that might go absolutely anywhere. He also loved jokes that were so silly they somehow became hilarious simply because Bob was the one telling them and giving you his goofy grin.

He had a playful side that his family will never forget. He loved cooking pancakes on the weekend, or at the yearly New Year’s Eve Breakfast at midnight. He enjoyed a competitive game of Pool, or Pinocle. Every now and then, he might suddenly break into an Indian war cry, just because he could. These little moments captured Bob perfectly. He didn't need a special occasion to have fun. He knew how to turn ordinary days into memories.

Bob was also the kind of person who showed his love by showing up. Over the years, he coached AAU basketball and traveled countless miles to watch the Grandview Greyhounds play. If someone he loved was involved, Bob wanted to be there. In fact, he became notorious for arriving several hours early because, according to Bob, that was how you made sure you were “on time.” His family knew that if an event started at 6:00, Bob was already there or wondering where everyone else was.

In 1996, Bob and Darlene became members of the Lower Valley Square Dancers, something Bob had resisted doing for many years. He apparently had to be convinced that square dancing was actually a good idea. Once he finally gave in, however, Bob discovered that he absolutely loved it. Not only the dancing, but especially the good times shared with many friendships that came from being part of the group; especially X and Peggy Zeebuyth, who became as close as parents.

Some of his happiest memories were made camping with other Lower Valley Square Dancers along the Cowlitz River. Year after year, those camping trips created laughter, stories, friendships, and precious memories that Bob and Darlene carried with them for the rest of their lives. For Bob, it was never just about where they were going. It was about who was there.

After retiring from Hanford, Bob wasn't quite ready to slow down. He began driving school bus for the Sunnyside School District, a job he absolutely loved. Before long, students, families, and staff came to know him by the nickname his own family had always used, “Grumpy.” The funny thing was that being “Grumpy” was about the furthest description anyone could use for Bob. His heart was big, his smile was genuine, and he had a special way of connecting with people. You were never a stranger around Bob. Bob cherished the relationships he built while driving the school bus. He loved getting to know the children he transported to and from school and enjoyed driving them to countless sporting events, many of which he stayed to watch. For Bob, being a bus driver was never simply a job, it was another opportunity to be part of people’s lives. He became a familiar and caring presence to generations of students, and the relationships he formed along the way meant just as much to him as they did to those he drove. He continued driving until his final retirement in June 2019.

Above all else, Bob was a good Christian, a devoted family man, and someone who would do anything for anyone who needed help. He was the person you could call when you needed a hand, a ride, help fixing something, or simply someone to sit and talk with. He gave his time generously and never seemed to need much recognition in return.

Bob loved his family deeply. He loved the big moments, but he also loved the little ones, the weekend pancakes, the basketball games, camping trips, dancing, telling stories, laughing at his own jokes, hiding someone’s dinner plate, enjoying a cup of black coffee, and simply sitting around with the people he cared about. Those ordinary moments are now some of the most precious memories his family has.

Bob is preceded in death by his biological father, Woodrow Steele; stepfather, Mel Wilson; mother, Grace Thorleifson Wilson; older sister, Yvonne Wilson; twin brother, William “Bill” (Beverly) Wilson; younger brother, Melvin Wilson; and younger sister, Melissa (Jon) Jacot. He is survived by his younger siblings, Donald (Valene) Wilson, Judy (Ken) Pless, Ann (Jerry) Thrift, and Jeff (Melissa) Wilson as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He leaves behind the love of his life his partner, best friend, soulmate, and wife of 51 years., Darlene Seyler Wilson of Grandview. He is also survived by his daughter, Wendie (Ted) Henwood of Barron, Wisconsin; daughter, Amanda (Shane) Williams of Prosser; son, Dustin Wilson of Grandview; grandson, Diandre (Kristin) Murillo and Alex Kouf; granddaughter, Mikaela Rose; step-grandsons John, Nik, and Josh Williams; and step-granddaughter Katy (Anthony) Myhres. Bob was also a proud great-grandfather to Elijah Robert and Nolan Kai, and step-great-grandfather to Willow, Jade, and Alex. He shared a particularly close bond with his in-laws, Emery & Helen (Muzzie) Seyler, his sister and brother-in-law, Karla and Gary Freeman of Grandview, as well as his nieces Gina (Sean) Bradley and their children, Jake and Drasen Reade, Jaden (AJ) & Nolani Burns, Judah, and Lachlan Bradley, and Sheila (Dan) Kassinger and their children, Anthony Garcia, Lilly, and Lucas Kassinger.

Bob’s life was measured not only by the years he lived, but by the people he loved, the friendships he built, and the countless lives he touched along the way. He was a husband who found his soulmate, a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who loved his family deeply, a brother, cousin, uncle, and father-in-law who treasured his relationships, and a friend who was always willing to lend a hand.

He was the storyteller who began with “He sits there and he says,” the man who told terrible jokes with complete confidence, the weekend pancake maker, the basketball coach and Greyhound fan, the square dancer who never thought he would enjoy square dancing, the camper who created memories anywhere the trailer went, and the man who showed up hours early because he was determined to be “on-time.”

For generations, Bob was the cornerstone of his family, the steady presence, the helper, the storyteller, the protector, the rock and foundation, and their beloved “Grumpy.” He had a way of making himself part of the fabric of people’s lives, and his absence will leave an enormous space in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

His family will carry him forward in the stories they tell, the traditions they continue, the laughter they share, and the love he gave so freely. And perhaps, whenever the family gathers together, someone will tell a silly joke, give a goofy smile, make a batch of pancakes, arrive ridiculously early, or begin a story with, “He sits there and he says…” And Bob will be there in all of it.

He will be deeply loved, forever remembered, and greatly missed by each and every one of us.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 1:00pm, at Church of Christ, (116 Fir St., Grandview).

Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com.