Robert “Bob” Franklin Linville, beloved husband, father and friend passed away on Wednesday, October 31, 2018.
Bob was born in Oak Ridge, NC on November 25, 1930 to Avalee Cline Linville and James Franklin Linville.
After attending Louisburg Junior College in NC, he served in the Presidential Squadron in the US Air Force for four years. After serving his country, he moved to Atlanta and attended Georgia Tech. The early part of his life he managed automobile dealerships in the Carolinas and Florida. After moving to Folly Beach he owned and operated the Linville Car Center. With his wife Carol, the Linvilles started Pet Helpers forty years ago. With the support of the community and volunteers, they have saved countless animals and spayed and neutered many to keep the population of unwanted animals down. Three weeks before Hurricane Hugo in 1989, Bob was elected mayor of Folly Beach. He was widely praised for his response to the devastation which Hugo left behind.
His service to community was vast. He served on the Planning & Zoning committee & City Council, as Mayor he oversaw the Folly beach re-nourishment project, led a truck convoy to Homestead after Hurricane Andrew, made the city fiscally responsible, and started the annual Folly Beach Christmas Parade. Those are just a few of his accomplishments. He was recently honored by the City of Folly Beach with the Hall of Fame Award on October 9, 2018. “To the World, you may be only one person, but to Folly Beach, you are the world.”
Bob is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 42 years, Carol Dooley Linville; a daughter, Tracy Linville (Brian) Coyle and a son, Robert F. Linville, Jr. (Stephanie) who gave him two grandchildren: Hester Claire and Robert F. Linville III.
He was predeceased by two sisters: Nancy Jones and Jean Clary. He was also a beloved brother-in-law to the Dooleys.
A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, November 8, 2018 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, with a memorial service from 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM, at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home James Island.
In lieu of flowers, donations are greatly appreciated to Pet Helpers. 1447 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412.
Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.mcalister-smith.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, James Island, 347 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412, 843-614-8494.