Robert D. Tyler

Having been privileged to live a long, productive life, blessed by God's grace and a loving family, Robert "Dock" Tyler passed away Saturday, June 13, 2009 at his home. He was 93, a few days shy of age 94. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. Dr. Jeff Reid and Tyler Willis will officiate. Burial will follow in the Garden of Memories Cemetery . The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm today, Monday June 15, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Dock and his twin sister were born June 28, 1915 to Jesse Andrew Tyler and Winnie Maud Sisson Tyler at Rising Star, Texas. Each of the twins weighed seven pounds. The doctor asked for the boy to be named for him, so he became little "Dock". The family moved to Clayton, Oklahoma, traveling by covered wagon. Dock always appreciated the fact he had been fortunate in living from covered wagon days to know about space travel. Dock finished his schooling in Lelia Lake, Texas and went to California for a year with an older brother. The family had moved to Abilene and Dock rejoined his family and enrolled in business school. June 6, 1942, Dock volunteered for the Marine Corp. He received training at Camp Pendleton, California. He served as a tank commander with Company B of the Third Armored Amphibian Battalion, First Marine Division. He was with the first invasion on Peleliu and Okinawa in World War II. After his discharge in 1946, he enrolled in Barber College in Ft. Worth. Through mutual friends he met Bettye Farmer and they were married January 19, 1947. After working in a small town barbering and visiting with the local dry cleaner, Dock decided to go to Stinson's School of Dry Cleaning. After completing school, Dock and Bettye moved to Abilene and purchased their first Tyler Cleaners. They wanted to become the best dry cleaners in Abilene, giving quality work and great service. In order to be the best, you needed to have the best equipment with which to work, so Dock purchased the first air driven equipment in operation between Ft. Worth and El Paso. Now it's commonplace. They felt they had achieved their desires as the people who patronized them were not just customers, but provided a multitude of friends. Dock and both of their children, Bob and Dian, trusted Jesus as their savior the same week. They were baptized together. Dock was an active member of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, as long as his health permitted. He was an ordained deacon. They sold the last of their Tyler Cleaners in 1979 and began traveling. Home, however, always seemed best to Dock, and he missed working. In 1985, Bob and his wife Lyn Tyler opened Tyler Cleaners at 2842 South 14th Street. Doc was anxious to go to work again. He officially retired when he was 89. He was an avid gardener growing tomatoes, onions, squash, okra and black-eyed peas. He was preceded in death by his parents, his twin sister, Geraldine Tyler Bishop, of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; brother, Richmond Tyler, of Lovington, New Mexico; sister, Madge Hankins, of Pampa, Texas; brother, Jesse (Fritz) Tyler, of Wills Point, Texas. He outlived and missed many friends who had been traveling buddies and game players. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Bettye Tyler, of Abilene; his son, Bob Tyler and wife Lyn, of Abilene; and his daughter, Dian Tyler Willis and husband Wayne, of Abilene. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Tammy Tyler of Steedman, Missouri; Tiffany Tyler Tacker and husband Corey, of Abilene; Tyler Willis, of Dallas; Teddy Willis, of Abilene; sister, Betty Tyler Scott and husband Dale, of Abilene; sister-in-law, Geraldine Tyler, of Wills Point; a cousin Lois Preslar, of Abilene; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend a special "Thank You" Deborah Ligon and Juanita Cherry of Hospice of the Big Country. Pallbearers will be Teddy Willis, Corey Tacker, Danny Reynolds, Gerald Reider, David Newcombe and Bob Boyer. Memorials may be made in honor of Dock Tyler to: The Arise and Build Campaign at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, 701 South Pioneer, Abilene, Texas 79605; or the donor's favorite charity.