Robert Willard Conner

Robert Willard “Bob” Conner, 78, of Salem in Roanoke County, Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. Born in Roanoke, Va., on February 28, 1947, to the late James Warren, Sr., and Julia Thomas Conner, he grew up in Roanoke, and upon graduation, enlisted in the United States Navy, during which he was stationed in San Diego aboard the USS Towers DDG9.

Bob was the owner-operator of Conner Electric, which contracted with Kroger, serving stores throughout the Roanoke Valley, North Carolina, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Tennessee. He enjoyed woodworking and had an eye for creating beautiful things from unique and unusual pieces of wood he found. Likewise, he was a collector of unique stones and minerals he found on his property with which he made beautiful and unique pieces of jewelry. Bob had a love for all critters and creatures that shared his homeplace, especially baby squirrels injured or abandoned. He nurtured them, helped them heal and would return them to nature. There was nothing that Bob could not build, fix, create, or repair, once he set his mind to do so; he even built the 5,000 sq. ft. house he shared with his wife and his fostered critter friends.

Those remaining to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 58 years, Brenda Throckmartin Conner; brother, James Warren Conner, Jr., of Daytona, Fla.; as well as numerous cousins, some of whom were childhood playmates who became lifelong friends.

To honor Bob’s wishes and per the family’s request, there will be no services, only a private interment in Sherwood Memorial Park.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.