Robert "Bob" A. Whritenour, Sr., 81, of Winterville, NC, formerly of Lumberton, NC, passed away Sunday, July 22, 2018, at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville. Bob was born August 4, 1936 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Harry and Margaret Whritenour. He was very proud to have served in the US Marine Corps.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a brother, Harry, and two sisters: Margaret and Dottie.

In 1956, Bob started working for a little-known company called Mueller Steam Specialty as a shipping clerk. By 1974, Bob had become President of Mueller Steam Specialty and shortly afterward he moved the plant from NY to Lumberton, NC. He grew the company into the largest and most respected strainer and valve manufacturer in the world. Bob was so much more than just a president at Mueller. He was a mentor who touched and influenced so many lives. He truly cared for the people who worked at that plant.

One of the things Bob loved to do was to play guitar and sing with family and friends. He especially loved watching his three sons play and sing together.

Bob's first love of his life was Maryann, who passed away in 2013. They were married for 50 plus years and they made an incredible team: Bob's tough love coupled with Maryann's overwhelming kindness and generosity.

Bob is survived by the second love of his life, Martha "Marty" Whritenour. Marty came along at the right time to fill Bob's life and made him wonderfully happy.

Bob is also survived by his three sons and their wives: Bobby, Kevin, and David; many grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two step-daughters and their families: Michelle and Marie; a brother, Ray; a sister, Lillian; and very close family friends: Nancy and Martin Gibbons and the Gibbons family.

The family will receive friends on Friday, July 27, 2018, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Floyd Mortuary & Crematory, Inc. in Lumberton, NC.

A mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, July 28, 2018, at 10:00 AM at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Lumberton, NC. Burial will follow at Gardens of Faith Cemetery in Lumberton, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either:

US Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, c/o Gift Processing Administrator, 18251 Quantico Gateway Drive, Triangle, VA 22172; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517.