Robert Lee Towle

Robert Lee Towle, age 95 of Knoxville, TN, passed away on December 7th, 2025 at the age of 95. Bob was born on July 4th, 1930. He was the 8th and youngest child of William Levi Towle and Mary Beulah Wilson Towle. Bob grew up in the Bearden community and attended Bearden Elementary and High School. He played basketball while at Bearden and later went on to be a high school basketball referee. After attending the University of Tennessee for a year, he was injured and did not go back. Instead, he took a 2-year business course. On May 24, 1954, Bob was drafted into the Army. He did his Basic Training at Fort Benning, GA. From there he was sent to Occupied Japan to work in the Communications Center at the Air Force Base sending and receiving messages to all ships, planes and bases in the Far East Command. He was honorably discharged in 1956. Bob married Helen Underwood and they were together for 22 years before they went their separate ways. When Bob was discharged from the Army, he began work at the Standard Knitting Mill in Knoxville. He worked there for 16 years. He bought his first and only home while working there. In 1968, Bob began working for the State of Tennessee Tax Department and retired in 1995. In 1980 he met and married Anita Gayle Wilson. They were married until her death in March 2025. Bob spent his life helping others. He was a member of West Hills Baptist Church and had a very strong faith in God. He and Gayle traveled to visit all of his siblings and helped them do whatever they needed.They enjoyed traveling all over the country. They also hosted many family reunions at their home. They were so good to their families and friends and anyone in need. When Bob’s health began to decline, Gayle took wonderful care of him. He spent his final two years at the Ben Atchley State Veterans’ Home in Knoxville. Bob was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Wilson Towle; his father, William Levi Towle; his brothers, W.C. Towle, Ray Towle and John Towle; his sisters, Jewel McAlister, Elaine Tompkins, Glynden Cox and Regenia Mercer; and his loving wife, Gayle Towle. He is survived by many nieces and nephews: Kenneth (Gail) Towle, John (Laurie) Towle, Linda Lusk, Tracy Lusk, Mary Himmel, David Mercer, Danny Cox and Julia (Chris) Luck; extended family members and close friends. The graveside service will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, December 13th at Highland Memorial Cemetery, followed by a visitation at Rose-Mann Funeral Home from 12:30-2:00 and a short service at 2:00. Bob’s nieces and nephews would like to thank the staff at the Ben Atchley State Veterans’ Home in Knoxville for taking such great care of him and taking the time to get to know him and love him. They did a wonderful job!

Tributes

Robert Lee Towle

July 4, 1930 - December 7, 2025