Obituary of Robert Samuel Whinnie

Robert Samuel Whinnie, 81, of Fairmont, passed away on Sunday, February 16, 2020 at the Genesis Healthcare Pierpont Center. He was born December 18, 1938, a son of the late Thomas Steele and Georgia Ruth Straight Whinnie of Barrackville. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Karen E. Phillips Whinnie. Mr. Whinnie was a member of The Baptist Temple and as a child attended Bethesda Baptist Church for 17 years without missing a Sunday. Bob was a quiet and gentleman who loved his God, his family, and his country. Bob was a 1957 graduate of Barrackville High School where he lettered four years in football. After graduation he worked as a machine operator for over 21 years at the at the Owens Illinois Glass Plant until is closing. He later served as a track crew member Martinka Coal Mine for over eleven years. A hunter and fisherman, Bob enjoyed spending weekends and summers at the family’s camp on the Wildell Road in Randolph County. Little River, Gandy, Laurel Run, Shaver’s Fork of the Cheat were some of his favorite trout streams. Hunting the mountains of the Monongahela National Forest for white tail deer became a yearly tradition during late November and early December. Digging ramps in early spring and scouting deer trails during the summer made life at camp wonderful. Bob Fought valiantly in his battle against heart disease, COPD, and recently, lung cancer. His family thanks Dr Peter Ang, nurses and doctors at UHC and Ruby Memorial Hospital for their care and kindness. In addition to his wife Karen, he is survived by his only son, Robert Michael Whinnie of Fairmont, his nephew, Dan Whinnie of Barrackville, and his niece Vickie DiBardi of Morgantown. Other surviving family are his wife’s twin sister, Carolyn Phillips of Green Bank, WV, his sister-in-law, Jan Connors and her husband Joe of Hillsborough, N.C, and brother-in-law Dr. Dan Phillips and his wife Sandy of Roxboro, N.C. Nieces and nephews include Amy and Rick Lehmann of Frostburg, MD; Karen and Mike Murphey of Green Bank, WV; George and Dtang Phillips of Scott Depot, WV; Dr. Christopher and Katherine Phillips of Paducah, KY, Melissa and Nate Haines of Chapel Hill, NC; close family friends, Billie and Dean Honaker of Bunner Ridge; and friends of the Barrackville High School Class of 1957. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his in-laws, Dennis Raymond and Rosalie Armentrout Phillips; his dear aunt, Elizabeth Straight Flynn and her husband William Flynn; his brother and his wife, Arthur Lee and Betty Whinnie, his nephews Tommy Whinnie and William Haught; and his niece Nancy Ridenour Benson. Memorial contributions can be made to The Baptist Temple, 430 Morgantown Avenue, Fairmont, WV 26554, or the Bethesda Baptist Church, P.O. Box 118, Barrackville, WV 26559. Friends and family may visit the Ford Funeral Home, 201 Columbia Street, Fairmont, on Friday, February 21, 2020 from 2PM until 4PM and 6PM until 8PM, as well as Saturday, February 22, 2020 from 10AM until 11AM. The funeral will be held in the funeral home on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at 11AM with Rev. Dr. Allan Copenhaver and Dr. John Conaway officiating. Entombment will follow at the Mt. Zion Cemetery and Mausoleum in Fairmont. Online condolences may be made to www.fordfuneralhomes.com.