Chief Robert "Don" Donald Bulla

Chief Robert Donald “Don” Bulla 95, of Graham, NC passed away peacefully after a brief illness at Williamson Medical Center in Franklin, TN. Don was the son of the late Oscar and Myrtle Hester Bulla and husband of the late Marcelle Allen Bulla. He was a long-time resident of Graham, NC but had resided in Franklin, TN for the last few years. Don retired from the City of Graham as Fire Chief, serving on the Graham Fire Department from 1958-1993 and as Fire Chief from 1972-1993. Don was a respected member of the Graham business community as he and his wife owned several businesses around town. He belonged to the Graham Rotary Club and was a member of the Graham City Council. Don was a founding member of the Carolina Road Runners Racing Club and a member of the NASCAR Circuit. He was an avid golfer and an equally avid Duke fan. He was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church of Graham where he served in many capacities. Clockmaking was a hobby, and he took great pride presenting clocks to people he knew. Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Denise Heckman and husband Mike; his son, Wesley Bulla and wife Deborah; his grandchildren, Ashleigh (Tim) Hackim, Daymien (Alton) Dellinger, Michael (Lisa) Heckman, Sarah (Todd) Greeson, Brian (Cassie) Heckman, Marcie Bulla, and Gray Bulla; great grandchildren, McKenzie Heckman, Teagan Hackim, Case Dellinger, Ava Leigh Brewer, Max Roark, Sawyer Heckman, and Barrett Heckman. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his loving granddaughter, Erica Bulla Roark; 4 sisters and 3 brothers.  A Graveside Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday June 17, 2023, at the Mt. Hermon United Methodist Church Cemetery with Gary Mintz and Linda Bulla Mintz officiating with last call rites from the Graham Fire Department. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 12:00 Noon on Saturday prior to the graveside service at McClure Funeral Home in Graham. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Graham Fire Department at 201 South Main St. Graham, NC 27253 or to the ACC Foundation (Fire Academy) by visiting www.accfoundation.com   “Don’t tell me bye” -Don Bulla

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