Remembering Bobby Wilson

Hard and crusty on the outside but soft in the middle, that's how people described Bobby Wilson.

Customer Jack Friend says he looked forward to the days he visited the station. "Oh, he was a great fella. I would pull in here and we would talk about things. I was very attached."

A self-proclaimed workaholic, Wilson ran his Spanish Fort Service Station for decades.

Corey Austin says it was such an inviting place. "It's one of the few places you can come by and if you have a need, you can write him an IOU. He'll see you next Friday!"

Wilson was the volunteer Fire Chief for 25 years and even a Justice of the Peace. He used to marry couple next to the oil pans in his garage.

Austin says the old gas station guy made quite an impact on the entire city. "From the 70's up to the present day, he's been officially known as the Mayor of Spanish Fort when we didn't have a Mayor!"

In August 2007, Wilson opened the shop before the sun was up and was attacked and robbed.

Nicholas Kreger can't imagine why anyone would do such a thing. "He was too nice of a guy to do anything like this too. He didn't deserve it, ever..."

Wilson struggled for months in the hospital. He had a fractured skull and was in and out of a coma. Friday morning, he never woke up.

We also learned that Wilson would have been a great grandfather for the first time today. His grandson and wife had a little girl named Lola JoAnn.

A reward is still being offered in this case. Friends of Bobby Wilson have put up a 32,000 dollar reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

If you have any information about the case call 990-hope. The tip line is anonymous.

Nine state, county and local police agencies are investigating the unsolved crime. Leslie Buzbee was named a person of interest a few months ago. Police even searched his home -- but he has never been charged.