William Bobo Obituary

William Perry Bobo, Jr EAST AMHERST, NY - William Perry Bobo, Jr., 75, entered into rest on March 26, 2022, at his residence in East Amherst, New York. He was born in Charleston, SC, on January 10, 1947, and was the eldest son of William and Mildred Seabrooks Bobo. He met his wife, Pearl, while both were attending Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia. Their marriage of 53 years was blessed with 2 sons, Kenneth and Keith (Latina); and five grandchildren, Anaiya, Amani, Keith Jr., Alyssa and Kanton. Accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at a young age, "Billy" (as he is lovingly known in Charleston) was baptized at Central Baptist Church where he was an active member of the Sunday School, Choir, Young Missionaries and The Boy Scouts. On a Missionary 5th Sunday, as a senior in High School, he presented a stirring speech entitled "I Dare You", passionately daring young people to develop their bodies to serve God and their minds to give the best service to the Master. Bill developed his business and entrepreneurship skills very early in life. He started a car washing and waxing business, sold Filler Brush items, and delivered Jet and Ebony Magazines. In 1964, he graduated from Wallace High School. He was a member of the State winning School Choir and Drama Club, 4-H Club and Future Business Leaders of America. Most of all Bill was a standout fullback on the mighty Wallace Wildcat Football Team. His excellence in the classroom and on the football field earned him a scholarship to Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia, where he continued to thrive on and off the field. Bill graduated from Virginia State University in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. While in Virginia State, he became commissioned in the U.S. Army. After completing his studies, he served in the Army from 1968 to 1970 as a Platoon Leader, Executive Officer and Troop Commander of an Armored Calvary Corp in South Vietnam. Upon his Honorable Discharge from the Army, Bill started his journey in the business world with a ten year career at Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Company focused on production and distribution management. His outstanding work was recognized by others in the industry, and he was recruited by Abbott Laboratories. Bill's journey at Abbott took him to positions in North Carolina, Texas and New York. In eighteen years with Abbott, he exceeded all expectations and retired as the General Manager of Plant operations in Buffalo, New York. Bill started WPTBobo Investment Partners after his retirement. His investment company was very successful in developing and mentoring business and land development. Bill knew that all of his accomplishments, every promotion and award, was due to God's favor, grace, faithfulness and love. He expressed his thankfulness to his Lord and remained committed to serving, worshipping and praising Him as his Lord and Savior wherever his journey in the business world took him. In Buffalo, he joined Trinity Baptist Church and continued to utilize his God given gifts actively in the church ministries and as a mentor in the community. Many expressed what a joy it was to have a conversation with him. Bill served as Judge Advocate, Finance Officer for the Jesse Clipper American Legion Post 430. Even when his health was declining, he kept the financial record for the Post. Bill is a proud Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Most recently, he was the Northern Province Board of Directors Member for New York. He was the Undergraduate Advisor for the Phi Chapter for nine years and Polemarch of the Buffalo Alumni Chapter. The Northern Province awarded him with the Robert L. Gordon Achievement Award. In addition, he was honored to be the Chairman of the Daniel R. Acker Scholarship. For his 50 years of Achievement, Virginia State University honored him as the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award winner. Bill is survived by his loving wife, Pearl Taylor Bobo; two sons, Kenneth M. Bobo and Keith (Latina) M. Bobo; grandchildren, Anaiya, Amani, Keith, Jr., Alyssa and Kanton; his mother, Mildred S. Bobo; a sister, M. Yvonne (James) Fordham; his brother-in-law, Emerson (Gwen) Taylor; and nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends. He was predeceased by his father, William P. Bobo, Sr.; brothers, Kenneth S. Bobo, Dandridge C. Bobo and Albert F. Bobo; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Deacon Willard and Florence Taylor; his grandparents, Trustee Dandress and Ethel Peade Seabrooks who convinced him that the sun didn't shine until HE woke up in the morning! The family will receive friends Tuesday, April 5, 2022, 5 PM - 7 PM at Trinity Baptist Church, 2930 Bailey Avenue, Buffalo, New York. Final Services and interment on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at 2:00 PM Christian Community Church in Warsaw, VA, and Shiloh Baptist Church, Reedville, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of William P. Bobo, Jr. may be sent to the Daniel R. Acker Scholarship Fund c/o: The Buffalo Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., P.O. Box 2676, Buffalo, NY 14240. Arrangements entrusted to THOMAS T. EDWARDS FUNERAL HOME, INC., 995 Genesee Street, Buffalo, New York 14211. Share condolences and reflections online at https://www.thomastedwardsfuneralhome.com/obituary/william-bobo. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston