Obituary of William C Roberts

Mr. William Calder (Bill) Roberts passed away at home, February 8, 2021 surrounded by family in Lake Oswego Oregon.  He died late in the evening and 81 days shy of his 86^th birthday.  Bill fought a long series of battles with his health over the past few years with courage and an absolute positive view on life.  We never heard him once complain about his challenges.  He provided such a wonderful example of how one could live through adversity with a smile, a joke, and most importantly, a story!!  His story began on the banks of the Klamath River in the town of Orleans California. Born on April 30, 1935 assisted by a Native American midwife, he began his life as the son of a gold miner William Homer Roberts during the Great Depression.  His only brother Ken would come into the world 18 months later. The family eventually relocated to the mountain town of Big Bear Lake California.  Bill and his brother Ken were active in school and loved ski racing and playing football.  After one year of High School in Big Bear, his father passed away and the family moved to Palm Desert.  Bill’s mother, Helen Rhoda (Calder) Roberts raised the boys while managing the Sun Lodges at the Shadow Mountain Club.  Bill entered Coachella Valley High School and excelled in Varsity Track and Football.  He graduated in 1954 and gained many lifelong friendships that endured through over sixty High School Reunions!  He often said those years at Coachella Valley were the best years of his life. In July of 1954, Bill entered the US Army eventually serving 17 months in Korea. After the service, Bill entered San Francisco City College.  After his training, he began his Sales and Marketing career in Industrial materials manufactured by 3M.  During this time, he met and married his wife Donna Mae Lough.  They were married January 17, 1960 in Maywood California. After bringing three children into the world, Bill and his family moved to Oregon in 1970.   In Oregon, Bill would begin a 44 year career in Institutional Food Sales and Marketing.  During his career, he met a vast network of people that recognized him for his hard work, dedication, and unmistakable personality. On January 26, 1978 Bill married his second wife, Harriette (Sam) Andrea Bowman.  After a long career, Bill retired from Acosta Sales and Marketing in July of 2014.  In his retirement years, Bill enjoyed meeting with his good friends on a regular basis for golf, Duck games, reminiscing the good old days, playing a little video poker, and having a cocktail or two.  In the final years of his life, he enjoyed container gardening and keeping the neighborhood birds and squirrels well fed! Bill enjoyed life to the fullest and he projected that joy to everyone he met.  He will be sorely missed by his family and wide network of friends and former associates.  We will always love you Dad!

Bill is survived by his wife Harriette (Sam) Andrea Roberts, Ex-wife Donna Mae Roberts, Son Ken Roberts, Daughters Erin Thompson and Shannon Batie. Brother Ken (Linda) Roberts. Grandsons Zackary (Devrie) Thompson and Kyan Roberts. Granddaughters Brittainy Batie and Hannah Batie. Great Grandson Karver Thompson and Great Granddaughter Rylinn Thompson.  Bill was also blessed with Nephews Dean (Melissa) Roberts and Taylor (Sarah) Roberts. Grand Nephews Zach, Cameron, Vilo, and Amato Roberts.  Grand Nieces Natalie, Kay, and Messina Roberts.

The Roberts family would like to extend our appreciation to the Oncology Team at Providence St Vincent Hospital and to Providence Hospice for their important support to Bill and his family.

At Bill’s request no services will be planned.