Bob Maurice Prillaman

1933 - 2023

Bob Maurice Prillaman

February 4, 1933 - April 9, 2023

On Sunday, April 9, 2023, at the age of 90, Bob Prillaman's remarkable earthly journey ended. His family is comforted in knowing this larger-than-life man, whether known as Bob, Bobby, Dad, Papa, or even Chairman of the Board, entered heaven on Easter Sunday. The story of his amazing life and accomplishments could, and perhaps should, be recorded in a multiple volume biography and never be contained in a simple obituary.

Bob was born in 1933 in Bassett, Va. He and his sister Reba were the children of a railroad laborer and a schoolteacher. Bob loved telling stories of his childhood growing up in the small house next to the railroad tracks by the Smith River. He never realized how poor they were despite the use of an outhouse and a well. In 1950 Bob graduated from Basset High School. He then attended Lincoln Memorial College in Tennessee, where he met his wife of 69 years, Lil. He finished his education at GA State University. He was drafted into the army and he dutifully served his country in Germany as an MP.

Bob retired from Caraustar Industries as Sr. Vice President and member of the Directors Caraustar Industries in 1998, after 30 years of service. He became a national leader in recycling and was Chairman of the Recycling Division of the American Paper Association. In the recycling field, he was President of Doraville Paper Recycling, Macon Recycling and Columbus Recycling. He led Caraustar Industries into the sheet rock business and became Chairman of the Board of Sweetwater Paper Mill in Austell, and Chairman of the Board of Camden Paperboard Mill, in Camden, N.J. He served on the Board of Directors for the Chicago Paperboard Mill, the Standard Gypsum in McQuiney, Texas and the Austell Box Board.

Bob's service to his community was vast and varied. He was a founding member of Independent Bank and Trust, which later merged into United Community Bank where he served on the advisory board. For over 20 years he was a Trustee of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and became Chair of the Cobb Chamber in 1997. He became a long time member of the Chairman's club and was the Director of the Chairman's Club for four years and was honored by the Chamber as a Lifetime Member. He was also awarded the Len Gilbert Award, the Chairman's Leadership Award and the Mack Henderson Award. He was honored with the Cobb County Citizen of the year in 2000 and the Liberty Bell Award by the Cobb Bar Association in 2011.

In 1983, Bob became a trustee at Kennesaw State University and found a passion in helping students. In 2004 He received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by Kennesaw State University and the Georgia Board of Regents. The awards he received from KSU include Clarice C. Bagwell Distinguished Service Award, Honorary Alumnus Award, Horace W. Sturgis award, Edwin Zaban Award and the Golden Key International Honor Society Award. In 2010, Prillaman Hall was named for Bob and Lil to honor his efforts to combine Wellstar Health System and KSU in the training of nurses.

Bob served for over 45 years in what is now Wellstar Health System, eventually becoming Chairman of the Board. He served on Wellstar Kennestone Authority for twelve years and served as Chair for a two year term. His commitment to healthcare includes his service on the Promina Health System Board of Trustees, the Georgia Lt. Governor's Healthcare Advisory Board, and a Trustee for Northwest Physicians Group. In the healthcare related fields, his honors include Chairman of the the South Cobb Cancer Society, Honorary Chairman of the Cancer Society Ball, The Heart of Cobb Award by the American Heart Association and the Wellstar Visionary Leadership Award. In 2000, Wellstar honored Bob with an award for outstanding service.

His love of service also extended to Girls, Inc., South Cobb Rotary, Tommy Nobis Center, Theater on the Square and Georgia Ballet. He chaired the Cobb County Pension Fund, was a member of the Cobb Clean Commission, and a member of the Governor's Round Table. In 2012 he was honored by Cobb Community Foundation as Philanthropist of the Year. He was a longtime member of the Marietta First United Methodist Church.

Despite all of these achievements and honors, he never moved away from the lessons he learned growing up in Bassett - even as he chaired meetings of million dollar companies. He believed in hard work, humility, and speaking plainly. Upon receiving every honor, he always credited his wife Lil for making it all possible. They were truly a loving team and they were each other's greatest cheerleader. He was immensely proud of his three children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Bob's generosity will never be fully known this side of Heaven. The boy who grew up by the railroad tracks next to the Smith River found his greatest joy in giving. He loved to give - his money, his time and his influence. It was, quite simply, his greatest joy.

No obituary could ever fully tell the story of Bob Prillaman. He personified a life well lived. We will miss his wildly entertaining stories and his larger than life personality. Bob, you have run the race and you have your reward. Heaven is sweeter, richer and certainly much louder upon your arrival. See you soon.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Owen H. and Mildred Prillaman and sister, Reba Wyatt. He is survived by his devoted wife of 69 years, Lillias Prillaman; son, Owen Prillaman (Melanie); daughters, Cathy Brooks (Rick) and Mary Prillaman Holland; grandchildren, Elizabeth Hewett (Chris), Rebecca Prillaman, Hilary Butler (Michael), and Mary Kayla Oliver (Josh); and great-grandchildren, Essie and Lilly Joy Hewett.

A visitation was held at Mayes Ward Dobbins Thursday, April 13, 2023, from 5 until 7 p.m. The Memorial and Celebration of Life Service was held Friday, April 14, 2023, from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. at Marietta First United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wellstar Tranquility Hospice at Kennesaw Mountain or Kennesaw State University Foundation.

Mayes Ward Dobbins Funeral Home

180 Church Street, Marietta, GA 30060