William Robert Aufill

William Robert Aufill, III (Bobby), 75, of Perkins passed peacefully from this life on September 14, 2016, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, with his loving family by his side. Services have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at 2pm. Viewing will be held on Tuesday from 11am to 7pm at Bobbys beloved Pumarama, a cougar sanctuary, at 750046 S. Hwy 177, 3 miles south of Perkins.
Bobby was born on April 20, 1941 in Las Vegas, NM to William Robert Aufill, Jr. and Katherine Elizabeth (Holley) Aufill. He graduated
While he was raised and attended schools in Socorro, NM, he lived a short while at the age of 7 in CA while his dad painted masts for the U.S. Navy. Just out of high school he purchased Shirleys Drive-In Restaurant and later opened a second restaurant as well. Shirleys became a destination stop for customers from all over New Mexico. At 18 years old, Bobby married Carol Wooldridge and they had 3 daughters: Katherine, Madeline and Kelly. Bobby married Senaida Gonzales in 1963 and had a son, William Robert Aufill IV (now Father Ambrose). They were married 33 years. He moved to Las Cruces to open another Shirleys, then later enrolled in New Mexico State University where he received degrees in Political Science and History. In 1975, Bobby relocated to Oklahoma City and obtained his Juris Doctorate Degree from Oklahoma City University.
In the late 70s, Bobby moved to Stillwater where he opened and operated Bobos Mexican Restaurant and Cantina from 1979 to 1997. Bobos Santa Fe style cuisine became a regional destination stop. After closing Bobos, he worked for OSU Dining Services for a few years. In 1998, Bobby married Leah Ables Willis, whom he had met through mutual friends, and they moved to Perkins. He then became self-employed, operating Bloomin Botanicals landscape and gardening business with Leah. They provided fresh homegrown produce and cut flowers at local farmers markets. After years of requests for his food, in 2003 they added Cocina San Pasqual fresh salsa and tamales to the farmers markets.
Bobby developed a profound love for exotic cats in the 1960s. He has devoted his life to supporting and sheltering different types of exotic cats. In 2007, he purchased the property for his current day cougar sanctuary, Pumarama. He has spent the last 12 years caring for cougars (mountain lions), lynxs, wolves, and bobcats. Pumarama has worked with the State of Oklahoma Wildlife Department to shelter and re-home cats and to provide educational tours to countless school children and families.
Bobby was attracted to the Catholic faith from childhood and was at last baptized Easter 2012 at St. Francis Xavier Church in Stillwater, where he was a parishioner. He was a talented amateur designer, specializing in ladies clothing. He was a fantastic cook and was well known for his fabulous Santa Fe style cuisine. Bobby led an extraordinary life and made many wonderful memories and friends along the way. He will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter Katherine Juarine Aufill; daughter Madeline Maria Aufill; and brother Michael Gordon Aufill. Bobby is survived by his wife and best friend Leah Aufill of Tryon, OK; two children: (Father Ambrose Bennett) of St. Louis, MO and Kelly Aufill Bridges and husband, Mike, of Springfield, MO. Two sisters: Charlotte Aufill Bruce and husband, Ronald, of CA and Holly Suzanne Perrow and husband, John, of VA; three grandchildren: Kay Gates and husband, Rick, of Springfield, MO; Sarah Averett and husband, Nathan, of Fort Collins, CO; and Emily Bridges of Columbia, MO.; two great grandchildren: Madeline and Benjamin Gates; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Memorial donations may be made in Bobbys honor to Pumarama in care of Payne County Bank 202 S. Main. Perkins, OK 74059
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.pmcfh.com

Visitation:
Pumarama
a cougar sancturary
11:00am - 7:00pm, Tuesday, September 20, 2016