William F. Roberts II

William Francis Roberts, II … a fancy name for an unpretentious person - so we called him Bill. He lived; he made a difference; he loved; he was a family man; he had passion; he changed the world for better; and he died. Bill was born in Birmingham and lived life like it was prose. Bill graduated from Birmingham Southern College and began his career as an educator. He was more than a teacher of English, Drama, Speech, and Psychology to high school students - he was a mentor who changed lives in Sylacauga, New Orleans, and Shenzhen, China. Hundreds and hundreds of people owe Bill a debt that can never be repaid because he helped students build dreams and lives. He lost the love of his life, Vicki von Gal Roberts way too early. His beloved sister, Claudia Roberts Herrmann, preceded him in death as well. He left a legacy of love and “dadhood” with his two children, Terri Munro (Paul), and Anne Blair (Neil Montgomery). His grandchildren, Eileigh, Callum and Mairi Munro and Vicki Roberts and Joseph Blair knew him as a wonderful granddad. Owen Roberts knew and loved him as his brother. Bill was passionate about many things. He was a foodie who loved breakfast and barbeque most of all. He loved music from James Brown to high church and was an outstanding musician who composed as well. He was an avaricious reader who lived his life in subtext – he loved saying things that made you think and wonder. Most of all he was passionate about his family and friends. Bill was the perfect “straight man” in the comedy of life and literary foil to all of us. We all have our “Bill stories” and are better people because he was a part of our lives. So, his death in Marietta, GA, at the age of 72, was postscript but his narrative will continue on as we celebrate his life and legacy in a gathering of friends and family at a reception and visitation on Thursday, July 15 at 11:00 am at Johns-Ridout’s Elmwood Chapel, 800 Dennison Ave. SW, Birmingham, AL 35211. The denouement of his narrative will be found in the laughter that accompanies his stories. Interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC.org).