Palestine High School Alumni Association

07 / 02 / 1952  –  07 / 29 / 1968

Robert Earl (Bob) Kilman, Jr., 16, son of Palestine City Official Robert and Mrs. Kilman, died Monday When he fell off a tractor as he mowed a field between Kilgore and the Gregg County Airport.

A companion, Sammy Satterwhite, 17, of Longview was taken to a hospital for treatment of shock after the tragedy, which occurred about 11 am.

Officials said the boys had disturbed a bee hive while mowing the field, and that young Kilman fell off the tractor in his efforts to escape the bee stings.

The youth was born July 2, 1952, in Palestine, and was a junior student at Palestine High School. He was a member of the First Baptist Church.

Funeral services are to be held at 2pm Wednesday in the Hassell & Foster Chapel here with Dr. D.D. Sumrall, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Park.

Survivors in addition to his parents are a sister, Miss Marsha Kilman of Palestine; his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Ragon, Sr., of Harleton and Mrs. Maude Kilman of Marshall; an uncle, H.A. Ragon, Jr., of Marshall; an aunt, Mrs. Wendell Wilson of Longview; and several cousins.

Named as active pallbearers are Harold Davis, Charles Nettle, A.C. Williams, Jerry Cole, James Ragsdale, Howard Sturkie, L.L. (Johnny) Davis, and K.J. Williams. All friends and classmates have been designated honorary pallbearers.

The body is to be at Hassell & Foster until after last rites.

Source: Palestine Herald-Press 07-30-1968