Dr. William Callaway “Bill” Robbins Jr., of Evergreen, died at his home on Friday, Jan. 23, 2015, following a lengthy, courageous battle with cancer. He was 73.

He was born in Dallas, Texas, on April 23, 1941, to the late Dr. William Callaway Robbins Sr. and Ruth Niles Hipp Robbins. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Alice Alene Robbins Goodall and his parents-in-law, Raymond Roberts Hughes and Eleanor Mozelle Johnson Hughes.

Dr. Robbins graduated in 1959 from Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, Texas, attended Baylor University, and served in the United States Air Force. He completed a B.S. degree from Huron College in Huron, S.D., and both an M.A. degree and an Ed.D. Degree from the University of Alabama. His 39- year educational career included teaching, coaching, and/or administrative positions at Northwood Junior High School, Forest Meadow Junior High School, and Lake Highlands High School, all of Richardson, Texas; Escambia Academy in Canoe where he served as headmaster; Hillcrest High School in Evergreen and Louisville High School in Louisville.

He retired in 2009 after 16 years at Reid State Technical College in Evergreen, where he served as Evening Program Coordinator and Dean of Instruction. Following his retirement he served frequently on COE (Council on Occupational Education) accreditation teams.

Dr. Robbins was an active member of Evergreen Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and member of the sanctuary choir. He was an avid reader, an antique vehicle enthusiast, and an ardent Alabama football fan. In 2001, he celebrated his 60th birthday by skydiving with his daughter, Ellie, and in 2008 he began sectional hiking with his son, Andy, on the Appalachian Trail (AT).  He had completed 1,026 miles of the approximately 2,200-mile AT.

Dr. Robbins is survived by his wife of 47 years, Judy Eleanor Hughes Robbins, to whom he was married on June 17, 1967; two children: Raymond Andrew Robbins (Odessa) of Columbus, Ga., and Eleanor Ruth Robbins Crane (Josh) of Huntsville; five grandchildren, Samuel McMaster Crane, Jacob McClellan Crane and Kirk Brockett Crane, all of Huntsville, and Caitlyn Elizabeth Jordan and Parker Lyons Lindsey of Columbus, Ga.; one sister, Julia Carolyn Robbins Rutledge (David) of Clarkston, Ga.; one sister-in-law, Dotti Jill Hughes Green of Carrollton, Ga.; three nephews, four nieces and many friends.

The visitation was held on Sunday evening, Jan. 25, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the sanctuary of Evergreen Baptist Church in Evergreen.  The funeral service was held Monday, Jan. 26, at 2 p.m. in the sanctuary of Evergreen Baptist Church with Dr. Jim Collins and the Rev. Jack Williamson officiating.  Music was provided by organist Pam Brock, pianist Connie Kilpatrick, and music director Jatricia Pugh, who led the congregation in singing “Blessed Assurance,” “My Faith Has Found a Resting Place” and the “Doxology.”

Pallbearers were Wayne Carrier, James Evans, John Johnston, Dr. Robert Lee, Dr. Douglas Littles, Keith Pugh, Shannon Pugh, and Jeff Rhodes.

Interment was held in Carroll Memory Gardens in Carrollton, Ga., with Dr. Jim Collins officiating.  Pallbearers included Wayne Carrier, Josh Crane, Sam Crane, Keith King, Keith Pugh, Shannon Pugh, and Andy Robbins.

Memorials may be made to the Evergreen Baptist Church Building Fund (107 Park St., Evergreen, AL 36401), Gideons International (P.O. Box 1104, Evergreen, AL 36401), Homestead Hospice (116 Edwina St., Evergreen, AL 36401) or the Appalachian Trail Conservancy at www.appalachiantrail.org.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.craversfh.com or www.martin-hightower.com.