Mr. Bobby W. Edwards, age 82, of Hall Station Road, Adairsville, passed away Tuesday, April 24, 2018 after an extended illness.

He was born in Adairsville, GA, August 10, 1935, son of the late Leonard Arrelle Edwards and Sarah Dee Hayes Edwards. Mr. Edwards retired after 31 years of service as a Senior Master Sergeant from the United States Air Force and was a member of Adairsville Baptist Church and the Adairsville American Legion Post #245.

Senior Master Sgt. Edwards entered the Air force in 1954. His duty stations included Landsburg, Germany and Paris, France as the allied forces withdrew at the end of World War II. He was recalled to active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 and served in Thailand during the Vietnam War. He also completed assignments at bases in Texas, Ohio, Florida, Alabama, Hawaii, Illinois, and Georgia. During the eight years of his active career, he was with the Air Force Recruiting Service. Edwards was stationed at Gunter AFB, Alabama with the 3531 ^st USAF Recruiting Squadron. It was there he was recognized thoughout Recruiting Service as one of the most resourceful and efficient Flight Supervisors in the USAF. In 1980 he assembled a group of 253 young men and women who were inducted in to the AF as "Blue Suit II". That year Edwards was recognized as Senior NCO of the Year in the AF. While stationed at Rome recruiting station, he put together a Buddy Flight, which included several local young men and women.

A true entrepreneur, following his retirement, he held many different jobs titles; owner operator of Edwards Property Management, former owner of Dandy Bob's Convenience Store, Property Management planner for Stewart Construction, as well as a cattle and hay farmer. He was an avid fisherman, but most importantly, a loving and devoted husband, father, and granddaddy.

Survivors include his loving wife, Barbara Woody Edwards; children, Kelly and Larry Carver of Adairsville, Bob Edwards of Adairsville, and Jill Edwards of Cartersville; grandchildren; Chad Edwards, Beth Edwards and her daughter, Jazlyn, Landy and Shane Garner and their children, Tristen, Colden, and Casslyn, Maggie and Dylan Meuesen and their children, Sadie and Oliver, Madison Edwards and her son Phoenix, Mackenzie Edwards, Taylor and Dustin Adair and their children, Bentlee, Hinley, and Ridley, Kalie Carver, and Brody Carver; brother, Melvin and Mary Edwards; sister-in-law, Kathy and Carter Wilson; Chess and Mandy Wilson and their children, Drew and Macy, and Katie Foster and her children, Luke and Andrew.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 27, at 2:00 PM from the chapel of Barton Funeral Home, Adairsville, with Reverend Eric Sorrell officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery, Cartersville with full military honors. Pallbearers include Chad Edwards, Larry Carver, Shane Garner, Dylan Meuesen, Dustin Adair, Brody Carver, Tristen Garner, Carter Wilson, and Chess Wilson.

The family will receive friends Thursday from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Barton Funeral Home, Adairsville.
Dudley Barton & Son Funeral Home, Adairsville, is in charge of funeral arrangements for Mr. Bobby W. Edwards.