Mr. William J. Roberts

April 7, 1927 - July 29, 2018

MONTEZUMA, GA - Mr. William J. (Billy) Roberts, 91, died peacefully Sunday, July 29, 2018 Funeral services will be held Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 at 2 p.m. at the Montezuma United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Dr. Tony Caldwell officiating. Interment will follow at Bertha Dozier Memorial Park Cemetery, with Pastor Jason Roberts officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Watson-Mathews Funeral Home, 322 North Dooly St., Montezuma, GA. Billy was born April 7, 1927 in Montezuma, the son of E.S. and Emma Jane Fry Roberts. Billy was the youngest of seven children and grew up in the Spalding community of Macon County. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Jean Dickey Roberts. Billy served in the U.S. Army in World War II, stationed at Fort Amador, Panama. He was honorably discharged at the rank of sergeant Nov. 27, 1946. Following his military service, Billy attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and then transferred to Berry College where he graduated on May 22, 1950 with a bachelor of science in agriculture degree. He married his sweetheart that same day in a ceremony at Barnwell Chapel on the Berry campus. Billy was employed for more than 30 years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture where he worked throughout the United States as an entomoligist on a variety of insect and disease control programs, including the boll weevil eradication program. He received a number of commendations for his work with USDA. He also operated a family farm in Macon County and was a master cattleman, continually developing and improving his herd over the course of 62 years. He maintained his herd until he was 88 years old. Billy and Jean raised a family of five children. He took tremendous pride in his family and found the greatest enjoyment in having his children and grandchildren around him. He was a Christian and a lifelong member of Montezuma United Methodist Church. Billy is survived by his sons Bill (Deborah) Roberts of Steinhatchee, Fla., and Ben Roberts of Montezuma; daughters, Rebecca (Steve) Bristow of Columbus, Katherine (Mike) Norris of Jacksonville, Fla., and Alice (Bill) Queen of Covington; eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff members at The Oaks and Regency SouthernCare for their kind and attentive care. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Montezuma United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 159, Montezuma, GA 31063 or Regency SouthernCare Hospice, 5233 Riverside Drive, Suite E, Macon, GA 31210 (478) 476-4627 www.regencysoutherncarehospice.com Watson-Mathews Funeral Home in Montezuma, GA has been entrusted with funeral arrangements for Mr. William J. (Billy) Roberts.