William "Bill" E. Roberts

Bill Roberts, 90 years old, peacefully passed away December 7, 2025 after a short time in hospice at Lenbrook in Atlanta. Family members, including his wife of 72 years, Marilyn Roberts, were able to spend time with Bill the last days of his life at the hospital, then at Lenbrook. The cumulative effects of Alzheimer’s caught up with Bill.

Bill was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania to Dorothy and Clifford Roberts. Bill married Marilyn in 1953. Bill and Marilyn had four children, who all have fond memories of the vacations they took together, especially the Outer Banks with William Wallace’s family and a long western road trip.

Bill worked for his mother’s family’s Lockley Machine Company, and got an engineering degree from Geneva College. After working for an engineering company, he started a 32-year career at IBM in project and sales leadership. IBM took the family from Elwood City, PA, to Rockville, MD, to Atlanta, GA, to Des Moines, IA, then back to Atlanta. After retirement, Bill purchased a Mailbox Etc franchise. He fully retired in 2000. He continued to be active and busy in different volunteer roles at Habitat for Humanity and the Open Door Community after retirement.

Bill loved sports, from being on the basketball team in high school, to golf and then later a sharp focus on running and tennis in Atlanta. He loved to sail and acquired his first small sailboat in Iowa. He, Marilyn and friends rented or hired boats to sail in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and San Juan Islands. Bill also coached his sons’ basketball teams.

Bill wholeheartedly did projects around the house, like building a pond feature in Atlanta and lots of yard work into his 80s.

Church was important to Bill and he served as an Elder in four different Presbyterian churches. Bill was an active participant in men’s Bible study sessions and retreats.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Marilyn, and four children Mark (Debra) Roberts, Eric (Ellen) Roberts, Renee Roberts, Rachel (Dean) Jackson, and six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, David Roberts (Cathy Cavanaugh), and brother-in-law, William Wallace. They will miss his deep loyalty, his humor and his constant support.

Memorials can be sent to Covenant Presbyterian Church in Atlanta or Atlanta Habitat for Humanity.

A memorial service will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church at 3:00, Friday, January 2. Covenant is located at 2461 Peachtree Rd in Atlanta.