William Roberts

Roberts, William Burchard II

William Burchard Roberts II, 72, passed away at his home on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 after a brief battle with cancer. He was surrounded by loved ones.

Bill was born September 3, 1940 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to George Jud Franklin Roberts II and Alice Burton Roberts. Bills parents moved the family to Roswell in 1946. His father, Jud, and sister, Mary Glenn Skidmore, preceded him in death.

Bill accomplished much throughout his very full life. As a young man he was active in the Boy Scouts of America, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Roswell High School in 1958 and earned a journalism degree from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX in 1962. While attending Trinity Bill was coeditor of the school yearbook, served in the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps ROTC and was a member of the first pledge class of Theta Tau Upsilon fraternity. His senior year he was elected student body president. It was at Trinity that he met and married Patricia Jane Cornish, his wife of 51 years.

After college Bill was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and became a Public Information Officer stationed at Fort Huachuca, AZ. Upon discharge he began a thirtyyear career with IBM, working in Detroit, Chicago, Champaign and ultimately Roswell. He later worked for Artesia Data Systems and founded his own consulting business.

Bills love for life and family was evident to all. He was active in the Elks Lodge, serving as Treasurer and Trustee. In the last 15 years he discovered his love for RVing and took a special interest in the Elks Lodge RV park. He enjoyed racing go carts with his grandchildren and working on projects in the Innovation Center with his friends. He shared his love of restoring antique cars with those closest to him.

Bill was a funloving, generous man with a giving heart. He welcomed everyone into his world with his quick wit and compassion. Those who knew Bill always felt welcome at the Pig Farm, known as a gathering place for camaraderie, creative thinking celebration. He will be greatly missed by the vast network of friends he and his wife, Patti, cultivated and brought together over the years.

Bill is survived by his wife Patti, his mother Alice Burton Roberts of Roswell, his two sisters Sally Roberts Herbein of Roswell and Susan Roberts Stanton and her husband Thomas Edward Stanton of Huntington Beach, CA his son George Franklin Roberts III and daughterinlaw, Patricia Maguire Roberts of Mission Viejo, CA, his daughter Sally Roberts Aiello and soninlaw Joseph Andrew Aiello of Rogers, AR and three grandsons, Casey Venrick Aiello, Kaden Joseph Aiello and William Burchard Roberts III. Bill was very close with his brothersinlaw Benjamin Jeffery Cornish and his wife Barbara of Seneca, NC, and John Magil Cornish and his partner Melinda Bradford of Menard, TX. Bill also had many cousins, nieces and nephews who were dear to him.
Private services have been held. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donating to the Assurance Home of Roswell. Ron Malone, Executive Director, Assurance Home, 1000 E. 18th Street, Roswell, NM 88201. ronassurancehome.org

Memorial Contributions