William B. “Bill” Roberts, 94, of Beaumont, passed away Saturday, May 14, 2011, at Park Manor of Conroe.

Bill was born on May 20, 1916, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to Walter P. Roberts and Gertrude Ruth “Crowder” Roberts.  He was a lifelong resident of Beaumont and retired in 1977 from DuPont in Port Arthur with twenty years of service.  Bill also was a twenty year United States Navy veteran, having served in the Pacific during World War II.

Bill joined the United States Navy in 1935, at the age of 19.  He married his teenage sweetheart, Ellen Ott on November 22, 1942, and they raised four children, Bill, Aggie, Walter, and Ruth.  After leaving the Navy, in 1956, he moved back to Beaumont to begin a new career with DuPont.  After retirement from DuPont in 1977, at the age of 61, Bill and Ellen visited all 50 states and Canada provinces in their RV.  They also traveled the world, going to Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.  They always delighted in visiting new places and making new friends.  Bill was a strong and hard working man that will be missed by family and friends.

He is survived by his son, Bill Roberts and his wife, Marilyn of Maryland Heights, Missouri; two daughters, Aggie Ott of Beaumont and Ruth Lamb and her husband, Randy of Magnolia; grandchildren, Greg Roberts and his wife, Janilyn of Beaumont, Kristi Lamb and Jason Lamb both of Magnolia; and great granddaughters, Olivia Roberts and Caroline Roberts both of Beaumont.

He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-four years, Ellen Agnes “Ott” Roberts; son, Walter Lee Roberts; grandson, Jeremy Roberts; and two brothers, Ralph Roberts and Herbert Roberts.

His graveside service will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 19, 2011, at Magnolia Cemetery, 2291 Pine, Beaumont under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A gathering of his family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, 2011, at Broussard’s.