Samuel Earl Robertson passed away on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at the age of 103. Sam was born in Clayton, NC on September 24, 1917 and lived there his entire life. He attended Clayton Schools, Randolph-Macon Academy and Duke University class of ‘39. After leaving Duke, he worked for Liggett and Myers Tobacco in Durham before being drafted into the US Army Air Corps in 1943. Sam served in the European Theater in the 8th Air Force as a ball turret gunner in the B17 flying fortress over Germany and France completing 20 missions prior the completion of the war. He was awarded the Distinguished Air Metal, Presidential Unit Citation and the World War II victory medal for his service. Upon his return from the war, he joined his brother, John B at BM Robertson Mule Co. which at the time of his retirement in 2002 was the oldest continually family run business in Clayton. He began selling mules but as time progressed moved to selling tractors and farm implements. There weren’t many small farmers in the area who didn’t own some farm equipment purchased as BM Robertson Mule Co. Because of this service to his community, on his 100th birthday he was awarded “The Order of The Longleaf Pine”. He spent his years in retirement most days at the stables with people coming in and out to hear his stories of the war and his many experiences at Duke University. He loved his family, his church, his Duke Blue Devils and his God. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and a friend to many.
Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Battle Moore and Claudia Mitchell Robertson. His wife of 63 years, Betsy Avera Robertson; brother, John B. Robertson; sister, Grace R. Harrill; and his beloved nephew, Batt Robertson who was also a business partner.
He is survived by his daughter, Betty Goodwin and her husband, Jim of Henderson; son, John W. Robertson (Donna Austin) of Washington; grandchildren, James Goodwin (Fagan), Caroline Wilson (Andrew), Mary Elizabeth Robertson, (Clark Taylor) and great grandchildren, Avery and Cole Wilson and Sam Goodwin.
A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, July 22, 2021 at 1:00pm at Horne Memorial United Methodist Church with burial following at Maplewood Cemetery with military honors. The family will receive friends immediately following the committal service at Maplewood Cemetery.
We want to particularly thank his loving care giving friends, Malinda McAllister, Emma Moore, Anthony Jones, Mike Noonkester, Doug Ellis and Ruby Atchison for the constant attention they afforded him over the past months.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Sam’s name to his beloved Horne Memorial United Methodist Church 121 East Second Street, Clayton, NC 27520 or to a charity of your choice. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Robertson family may be entered below within the "add a memory" tab.
