Robert Lee McAtee Sr. was born September 10‚ 1952‚ the son of Loy and Katheryn Liggett McAtee. He attended Webster County schools. He served with the 201st Field Artillery of the West Virginia National Guard for 19 years‚ where he obtained the rank of sergeant 1st class.

On October 3‚ 1970‚ Robert married Caffey Taylor‚ who survives him.

Robert was a 38-year veteran of the Huttonsville-Mill Creek Volunteer Fire Department. At the time of his death‚ his son Rodney was the chief of the department.

Robert served as mayor of the Town of Huttonsville from July 1991 until his death. Before that‚ he had served several terms on the Town of Huttonsville council.

He was the former owner of Huttonsville Exxon. For the last eight years of his life‚ he worked as a full-time school bus driver for Randolph County. He had been a trustee for the Brick Church Cemetery since 1994 and attended the Calvary Assembly of God Church in Valley Head.

Friends and fellow firefighters remembered Robert as an honest man‚ someone who could be counted on both personally and on the scene of emergencies.

In addition to his wife and parents‚ he is survived by his three sons‚ Robert McAtee Jr.‚ Rodney McAtee (Marsha)‚ and Shaun McAtee; his daughter‚ Jennifer McAtee; his two brothers‚ Eugene and Paul McAtee; his sister‚ Mary Marcum; and his grandchildren‚ Alexis‚ Sommer‚ Landon‚ Noah‚ and Braeden. He was a great husband‚ father‚ and grandfather. He was very proud of his grandchildren and loved them unconditionally.

Robert always had a smile on his face‚ and he would always wave when he passed you on the road.

He passed away on January 20‚ 2008‚ after returning home from a chimney fire.