Bobby L. Waits, 78
Bobby Lamar Waits Sr. “Papa Smurf,” “Hoodwinker,” 78, of Coeur d’Alene, peacefully passed away at his home surrounded by his loving wife, daughter and son-in-law on April 27, 2010. Bobby was born Oct. 11, 1931, in Cedartown, Ga., to Earnest and Bessie (Deams) Waits.
He joined the U.S. Navy in 1950, serving in Korea and China as an aircraft carrier gunner and hardhat diver-welder. He was honored with the Korean Service Metal with 2 stars, United Nations Service Metal, National Defense Service Ribbon and China Service Metal. He was honorably discharged in February 1956.
Bobby married Julia Acosta in Las Vegas, Nev., Aug. 3, 1955. They were married 54 years. He graduated from Orange Coast College in California with an Associate of Arts degree in supervision in 1971.
He worked for General Telephone Co. for 30 years starting at the switchboard in 1956 in Long Beach, Calif. They moved to Huntington Beach, Calif., where Bobby started doing cable splicing. He went on to be an educational instructor and became very involved with making instructional films for GTE Phone Co.
He was living in Riverside, Calif., when he retired from the phone company. He and Julia moved to Coeur d’Alene to fulfill Bobby’s lifelong dream to be in the Northwest to hunt and fish. Bobby was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Shriners, Scottish Rite and Coeur d’Alene VFW Post 889. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Julia Waits of Coeur d’Alene; daughter and son-in-law Julia Louise and Charles Davidson; son Bobby L. Waits Jr. of Moreno Valley, Calif.; and former wife Karen K. Waits of Moreno Valley and granddaughter Naomi of Dearmour, Calif.
Memorials may be sent to: Cancer Research, Auburn Crest Hospice or Ducks Unlimited.
Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. Monday, May 3, 2010, at Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d’Alene Chapel. Service will begin at 11 a.m. also at Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d’Alene Chapel. Burial will follow at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens.
Please visit Bobby’s memorial and sign his online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.