Robert W. "Buffalo" Bess III, 66, of Keyser, W.Va., passed away on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, at his home.

Born on Jan. 24, 1956, in Morgantown, he was the son of the late Dr. Robert W. Bess and Renna Jane (Thayer) Bess-Shaver, of Keyser.

Robert was a 1974 graduate of Bruce High School and a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He worked as a heavy equipment operator in the construction and landscaping business in Florida until his retirement.

Robert was a member of the Piedmont Presbyterian Church.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his daughter, Ashley Russell and husband, Justin, of Cumberland Gap, Tenn.; grandchildren, Lilah and Barrett Russell; sisters, Renna Kimble and husband, Bob, of Swanton, and Meg Roberts and husband, Tom, of New Martinsville; brothers, James Bess and Rhonda, of Burlington, Dr. Charles Bess and wife, Melissa, of New Creek, Allen Bess, of Keyser, Tom Shaver, of Hawaii, and Lawrence Shaver, of Keyser; several nieces and nephews; special cousin, Bob Ingram; and his buddies, Rick Hill and Karen Lease.

Friends will be received at Fredlock Funeral Home, Piedmont, on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, from 11 a.m. to noon, at which time a funeral service will be held with the Rev. Thomas Morgan officiating.

Interment will follow in Philos Cemetery, Westernport.

The Fredlock Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Bess family at this time (www.fredlockfh.com).