Robert Joseph Shahid Sr., a resident of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., for 52 years, passed away after a courageous battle of four years with cancer on Sept. 7, 2008, at home with his loving family. Mr. Shahid was born on June 2, 1929, in Charleston, S.C., and was raised in Timmonsville, S.C., during his primary school years. He attended the Citadel and graduated in 1950, with a B.S. degree in business. Upon leaving the Citadel, Mr. Shahid served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force for two years. After leaving the Air Force, he came to Destin and Fort Walton Beach to visit his brother, Ernest and family. Mr. Shahid loved the area and made it his home. He opened Sir Robert’s Restaurant, which he ran for many years. In 1961, Mr. Shahid met and married his loving wife, Billie, who was just out of Auburn on her first teaching job in Fort Walton Beach. After leaving the restaurant, Mr. Shahid attended Southeastern Louisiana University and received his master’s degree. He then worked for the Okaloosa County school system as Superintendent of Transportation and remained there until he retired in 1991. Upon retirement, he ran the family candy business, La Bonboniere, at Shoreline Village Mall in Destin until his illness in November 2004. Robert was an avid sports fan. He especially loved football, which he played in high school and at the Citadel. He also loved fishing, which he enjoyed with his brother “”Shag”” and his close and loyal friend, Phil Brogden. Mr. Shahid started the Little League baseball program in Fort Walton Beach. He was always very interested and active in politics and participated in many rallies for his favorite candidates. Mr. Shahid was preceded in death by his parents, Wadere Simon and Marie Kalil Shahid, who instilled in him Christian values, loyalty and love of family. Robert is survived by his wife, Billie, of 46 years; two sons, Robert Joseph Jr. and Michael Shawn; brothers, Ernest and wife Margaret Shahid, and Wadere “”Shag”” and wife Lola Shahid; sister, Agnes M. Shahid; as well as many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, family and friends. Robert loved his God, country and family. He never met a stranger and was always generous and ready to give a helping hand. Visitation will be at Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, on Wednesday, Sept. 10, from 5 to 7 p.m., with a recitation of the rosary at 6 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Mary Catholic Church, 110 St. Mary Ave., Fort Walton Beach, on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 11 a.m. with Monsignor Slade Crawford officiating. Burial will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery. The family wishes to extend special thanks to Robert’s oncologist, Dr. Shaily Lakhanpal of Birmingham, Ala., and to Ronnie Clay and Phil Brogden, his close and loyal friends who visited him regularly and supported him during his four years of illness. Flowers are welcome, or memorials in his name may be made to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Tags: 1950
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