Aug. 23, 1940 – Jan. 22, 2017

VIDALIA — Services for Robert Whestly Shirley, 76, of Vidalia, who died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, at Merit Health Natchez, will be 10 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church of Vidalia with his son, Whest Shirley officiating.
Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home in Vidalia.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. until service time Friday, both at the church.
Mr. Shirley was born Aug. 23, 1940, in Esto, Fla., the son of Early Vester and Ethel Mae Shirley.
He was a resident of Vidalia for 56 years and was employed by J.M. Jones Lumber Company. He retired from Reagan Equipment in 2002.
Robert was an avid sportsman who loved hunting and fishing. His favorite sport was basketball, but was most enthusiastic about following his children and grandchildren in all of their sporting events.
Mr. Shirley was a member of the Miss-Lou Coon Hunters Association and participated in Dixie Youth Baseball for a number of years as a coach and parent volunteer. He was a firm believer and secure in his faith in Jesus.
He was best friend and constant companion to his wife of 53 years, Linda, loving father to his two children and daughter-in-law and cherished Pop-Pop to his six grandchildren.
Mr. Shirley was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, L.D. Shirley; and two sisters, Marjorie Hales and Vera Mae Shirley.
Survivors include his wife, Linda Reese Shirley; one son, Whest Shirley and wife, Dara, of Vidalia; one daughter, Tatia Shirley Webber of Vidalia; three grandsons, Evan Webber, Pate Shirley and Jackson Shirley; three granddaughters, Whestley Shirley, Molly Shirley and Meredith Shirley; four sisters, Evelyn Wood of Geneva, Ala., Roselyn Urquhart and husband, Rudy, of Powder Springs, Ga., Edna Grubbs of Holt, Fla., and Sarah Jacobs and husband, Talmadge, of Newton, Ala.; and a number of nieces, nephews, extended family and close friends.
Pallbearers will be Garlen Randall, Charles Anderson, Paul Cangemi, Greg Brown, Pat Smith and Rex Faust.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Vidalia McDonald’s morning crew and his fishing buddy, Philip Eames.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Online condolences may be sent to youngsfh.com.