Robert Louis Neill

Robert Louis Neill went home to be with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Friday, March 27, 2026. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 2, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home with Pastor Jeff Fritscher officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.

Robert was born March 5, 1940, to Robert Marion Neill and Gertrude Stitz Neill in Waco, Texas. He attended school in Waco at East Waco Elementary, East Jr. High and graduated from University High School in May 1958. On April 19, 1958, Robert “Bob” Neill and Frances had their first date. That was the first step of the journey of living a full life together. As Bob has often said, “if it wasn’t for that first date, there would have been no anniversaries, birthdays etc. to remember.” Married in 1961, Bob and Frances would have celebrated 59 years of a blessed marriage in 2020.

He graduated with his bachelor’s degree from Baylor University in 1962 and later completed his MBA at Baylor while working full-time. Among the greatest blessing a couple can enjoy is the birth of their children. Bob and Frances’ first child was Robin Kay Neill and five years later, Terry Wayne Neill was born. Bob enjoyed going with Terry on many bass fishing trips. He also enjoyed hunting trips with Robin in Wyoming and visiting Yellowstone National Park. A highlight of one of the trips was visiting Sturgis, South Dakota. He welcomed spouses as his own children and enjoyed holiday dinners with everyone around the table. He enjoyed salmon fishing in Alaska with his son-in-law Craig and supported his daughter-in-law Marlene as she pursued master’s and doctoral degrees.

He served as president at Materials Transportation Company (MTC) where he worked for 32 years. Bob was a big fan of Baylor sports and attended football, men’s and women’s basketball and baseball games with his family. He supported the Waco Symphony Orchestra and attended many of their concerts over the years. He also visited many countries on mission trips, including visits to Ukraine, where Music Mission Kiev (MMK) serves as a ministry that provides support to orphans and widows along with music to proclaim the message of hope, peace and salvation to the world. Bob served on the Board of Directors for MMK. He and Frances came to know some of the women on a personal level and invited guests from the Ukraine to stay in their home. Both Robin and Terry understood that they were blessed to have Godly parents. Bob had a lasting positive impact on everyone he met and worked with. His inspiration guided others to make a positive difference wherever he went.

Bob really enjoyed travel. Among the countries, he was fortunate to visit were China, Russia, Ukraine, Iraq, Cuba, Israel, Jordan, New Zealand, Morocco, Canada and Mexico. Some of his mission-related service took place in some of these countries.

Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Frances and his parents.

He is survived by his daughter, Robin and her husband, Craig Deihl; son, Terry and his wife, Marlene; sister, Sandra and husband Carl Geer; nieces and nephews, Mike Geer and wife Cindy, Billy Geer, Amber Smith and husband Matt, Holly Jackson and husband Mike, Theresa Schmunsler and husband Brian, Eric Powell and wife Kathy; along with special friend, Terry Ann McDonald. Also, Bob leaves behind friends from high school, in particular Homer Moeller of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, along with UHS58 Lunch Bunch friends.

Pallbearers will be Craig Deihl, Darron Sniggs, Bill Aiken, Brian Schmunsler, Ralph Nicoloff, Steven Dearinger and Eric Powell (Honorary).

The family would like to express their appreciation to Baylor Scott & White at Temple, TX for the quality of care they provided to Bob.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Music Mission Kiev (MMK).

The family invites you to leave a message or memory of Robert on his “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.