Robert James Decker

1946 - 2016

Robert James Decker 1946 - 2016
ILION - Robert James Decker, 70, passed away Monday, December 5, 2016.
Bob was born March 8, 1946, in Herkimer, the son of the late Raymond and Beatrice Coonradt Decker. He was a 1964 graduate of Ilion High School and, in 1966, he graduated from MVCC.
Bob joined the US Army in 1966 and served two years in Mannheim, Germany, in a radar repair unit. He was honorably discharged in October, 1969. On May 25, 1974, he was united in marriage with Lesa Siver.
Bob was employed for 18 years with MDS in Herkimer and later as Ilion Codes Officer, a job he really loved. He was active in helping grow the local AYSO Region, refereeing and coaching, and serving as Commissioner of the region before opening his soccer store, Soccer Central Plus, in 1995. Bob really enjoyed interacting with all the customers who came in the store.
If you thought Bob was a quiet man, you probably never got to talk to him about soccer, his precious grandchildren or his very favorite topic - Fantasy Football, winning the "family" league 3 times during the 5 years he played. He may even still win it this year.
Bob is survived by his wife, Lesa; three sons, Brian, of Seattle, WA, Thomas and his partner, Elizabeth Crawford, of Utica, and Gregory and his wife, Jennifer, of Beaufort, SC; his grandchildren, Caroline and Milena, of Seattle, WA, and Jackson and Patrick, of Beaufort, SC; three sisters, Nancy Alexander, of Brownville, NY, Betty and Bill Rathbun, of Ilion, NY, and Debi and Steve Wood, of Gig Harbor, WA; a brother-in-law, James Siver, of Herkimer, NY; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends are invited to attend calling hours for Bob to be held on Thursday, December 8, 2016, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, Inc., 100 Otsego Street, Ilion, and funeral service to be held on Friday, December 9, 2016, at 11:00 AM, with the Rev. Rick Riggle officiating.
In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to consider memorials to the Ilion A.Y.S.O. in honor of Bob's great love of soccer and of the youth of Ilion. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
To leave an online condolence, please go to www.whiter-hendrix.com.