A memorial service for Rev. Robert C. "Bob" Faulkner, Pastor Emeritus of Central United Methodist Church, will be at 3:00 PM Sunday, August 16, 2009, in Central United Methodist Church conducted by the Rev. Tom Pietila and Chaplain Ann Ayers. Inurnment will be in the columbarium at Central United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends at the home of Gary and Missy Brown, 526 Edisto Drive, and after the service in the commons area of the church. Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, 225 W. Cheves Street, Florence, SC 29501 or the United Methodist Manor of the Pee Dee, 2100 Twin Church Road, Florence, SC 29501. Rev. Faulkner, 82, died Thursday August 13, 2009, at the Methodist Manor of the Pee Dee. He was born in Charlotte, NC son of the late Cleo Gilbert and Daisy Stogner Faulkner. He was also predeceased by a sister, Mildred S. Chambers and a brother, Billy M. Faulkner Bob spent most of his childhood in Columbia, SC. At age 17, he enlisted in the US Naval Air Corps as seaman, first class. He is a veteran of WWII. He also served as second lieutenant in the US Army Reserve and was honorably discharged when he entered the ministry. After the war, he attended and graduated from Wofford College and Candler School of Theology at Emory University. He was licensed to preach in 1948 and became an ordained elder of the South Carolina United Methodist Conference in 1955. His ordination took place at Central United Methodist Church in Florence, which was also his last appointment before retirement in 1989. Other appointments during his 40 year ministry include Ben Avon UMC, Spartanburg; Buford Charge, Lancaster; Northside UMC, Greenville; First UMC, Cheraw; Grace UMC, North Augusta; and Bethany UMC in Summerville. He was a member of various conference committees, served as chairman of the board at Spartanburg Methodist College and was also a trustee on the board of Columbia College. During his last appointment at Central Methodist in Florence, Bob became instrumental in the vision for and building of the United Methodist Manor of the Pee Dee, serving as liaison the conference and as interim director of the retirement home and President of the Board of Trustees for a term. He continued on this board until 2009. In addition to his ministry and conference work, he was a member of Rotary Club, where he received the Paul Harris Fellow Award. Bob was an avid golfer and regular coffee drinker with friends at Bojangles. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Frances Earl Mills Faulkner; two daughters, Billie F. (Jim) Thomy of Lake City; Missy F. (Gary) Brown of Florence; two sons, Robert E. (Carmen) Faulkner of Rock Hill and Charles F. (Fran) Faulkner of North Augusta; a sister in law, Alma Gene M. (Larry) Gates of Columbia; 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank the staff and Bob's many caretakers from the Methodist Manor, as well as Ascension Hospice, caretakers of Consolidated Medical and Dr. Bill Hester for their love and support.