Robert Francis Austin

Robert Francis Austin, age 88 1/2 of Gatesville, went to be with Jesus on January 10, 2026.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 23, at Scott’s Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Restland Cemetery with full military honors.

Bob was born on September 28, 1937, to the late Walter Leroy Austin and Grace Catherine O’Brien. He was born and raised in New York. Bob grew up with five sisters and one brother who passed shortly after birth. During high school, Bob worked at a grocery store. While running to work, the local high school track coach noticed his athletic ability and convinced him to join the track team. Bob achieved several track records that stood for many years. After high school, Bob joined the United States Air Force in 1957, retiring in 1977. While in the Air Force, Bob served in England, Viet Nam, Korea, North Africa, France, as well as other Air Force bases across the United States. He was promoted to Tech Sergeant in Helicopter Fire and Rescue in the HH-45 (a specialized helicopter). After retiring from the Air Force, Bob worked several other jobs with the last being at Montgomery Ward where he was the head of the shipping and receiving department.

Bob will be remembered for his keen sense of humor, love for teasing others, and tinkering with everything. A highlight of his childhood was when he was dressed up in a sailor suit and mistook a skunk for a black and white cat. He encouraged the skunk with his foot and the skunk let him know he was not happy. As a result, his grandmother had him take his clothes off at the door and the sailor suit he hated was burned.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother, Walter Austin, Jr.; sister, Judy Mothes; daughter, Jennifer Marie Austin; wife, Billye Hustmyer Austin; and two nephews.

Bob is survived by Sharon Lee Perry-Austin; children, Sheri Taylor, Duane Ronald See, Donald L. Perry (Theresa), Penelope Hutchison (Kenny), sisters, Janice Warner, Winifred Watson, Betty Warner (Dan), Beverly Austin; and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, a great-great grand child, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

If a memorial is desired, the family requests donations be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or the DAV Chapter 74, 124 Julia Dr., Copperas Cove, TX 76522.