Obituary for Billy "Bill" Ray Roberts
Billy “Bill” Ray Roberts, 91, of Edgerton, KS passed away Feb. 3, 2020 at his home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Sat., Feb. 8, 2020 at New City Church, 517 W. Morgan St., Edgerton, KS. Burial with military honors follows at St. Columbine Catholic Cemetery, Edgerton, KS. Arrangements: Bruce Funeral Home, Gardner, KS (913) 856-7111. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children c/o Bruce Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome.com
Bill was born June 28, 1928 in Oakland, Oklahoma to David J. and Nellie (Johnson) Roberts. He grew up in Three Rivers, Texas. Bill served in the US Army towards the end of WWII and during the Korean War. He met Elizabeth “Beth” Mott on a blind date while he was in the Army and they married on Oct. 19, 1950 in Fremont, Idaho. After marriage they moved to Kansas City and finally to Edgerton. Bill was the owner and operator of Roberts Auto and Body, Edgerton, KS for over 50 years before his retirement. He volunteered as Assistant Fire Chief of Edgerton Fire Department for 25 years, served two terms on the Edgerton City Council, enjoyed spending time with family and often took vacations to visit those that were not in the area. He was a man that gave his time and expertise as a mechanic to help stranded motorists that were traveling through the area, often even opening his house and inviting them to stay for dinner as he worked on their vehicle. Bill was a member of the VFW and America Legion in Gardner. He will be missed by family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; the love of his life, his wife of 55+years, Elizabeth “Beth” Roberts; all of his brothers: George Pennington, Ben Pennington, Donald Roberts and Jack Roberts. Bill is survived by his two sons: Jeffrey Roberts and his wife Aida, Fairfax, VA, Donald Roberts and his wife Shelby, Edgerton, KS; four grandchildren: Curtis, Diana, Holly and Richard; two great-grandchildren: Colton and Chyanne.
Bill was born June 28, 1928 in Oakland, Oklahoma to David J. and Nellie (Johnson) Roberts. He grew up in Three Rivers, Texas. Bill served in the US Army towards the end of WWII and during the Korean War. He met Elizabeth “Beth” Mott on a blind date while he was in the Army and they married on Oct. 19, 1950 in Fremont, Idaho. After marriage they moved to Kansas City and finally to Edgerton. Bill was the owner and operator of Roberts Auto and Body, Edgerton, KS for over 50 years before his retirement. He volunteered as Assistant Fire Chief of Edgerton Fire Department for 25 years, served two terms on the Edgerton City Council, enjoyed spending time with family and often took vacations to visit those that were not in the area. He was a man that gave his time and expertise as a mechanic to help stranded motorists that were traveling through the area, often even opening his house and inviting them to stay for dinner as he worked on their vehicle. Bill was a member of the VFW and America Legion in Gardner. He will be missed by family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; the love of his life, his wife of 55+years, Elizabeth “Beth” Roberts; all of his brothers: George Pennington, Ben Pennington, Donald Roberts and Jack Roberts. Bill is survived by his two sons: Jeffrey Roberts and his wife Aida, Fairfax, VA, Donald Roberts and his wife Shelby, Edgerton, KS; four grandchildren: Curtis, Diana, Holly and Richard; two great-grandchildren: Colton and Chyanne.