William C. Roberts

William C. Roberts (Bill) passed away peacefully on October 2, 2020 with his wife, Mariana, at his side in the Villages, FL. Bill was born on March 28, 1946 in Pasadena, CA to the late Webster and Jeanne Roberts, and was raised with his younger sister, Deane, who predeceased him. He graduated in 1964 from Brush High School in Cleveland, Ohio. Bill graduated from the University of Maine in 1968 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. In 1969 he enlisted in the Navy serving as an OT (Ocean Systems Technician) until 1973. After receiving his M.S. in Systems Engineering from the University of Maine, he worked in the pulp and paper industry for many years in addition to the career of which he was proudest with the US Navy Reserves retiring as a Captain in 2004 with 32 years of service. During his civilian career, he eventually transitioned to computer engineering. He retired as a Senior Professional Services Consultant for EMC Corporation in 2012. Bill retired to the Villages in 2011 after receiving a diagnosis of mantle cell lymphoma and was able to have years in remission thanks to the treatment he received at The Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL. This remission enabled him to travel during those years with his wife throughout Europe and on an ocean cruise from England to the Artic and the countries around the Baltic Sea which prompted a follow-up cruise down the Volga River in Russia from Moscow to Saint Petersburg. He was actively involved with the HO group of the Villages Model Train Club, and as a Director with the Lady Lake Historical Society. Bill also enjoyed swimming, playing pickleball, softball and guitar. He was an avid sports fan, with a particular fondness for the Browns and the Indians from his hometown of Cleveland. He bestowed his love of sports (and cars) on both of his daughters, Beth and Kelly, who played many sports, very often coached by Bill. He taught them both to drive using a standard transmission vs. an automatic and made sure they could perform basic service on a car. He will be forever missed by his daughters, Kelly and Beth, and by his 7 grandchildren. He was an amazing and supportive father, grandfather, coach and friend. Always quick with a "dad joke" and a belly laugh, he was a joy to be around. Bill loved European model trains and spent countless hours meticulously building and decorating his miniature German villages train layout. He was able to share this love with his youngest grandchild, Jake. They would spend hours together setting up train tracks and running trains both in Virginia and Florida. Bill is survived by his loving wife, Mariana, and their combined 4 children (Beth, Kelly, Marisa and David) and 7 grandchildren (Caty, Chloe, Jake, Eddie, Catherine, Audrey and Anna). Bill was a loving father and husband plus a cherished friend who touched many hearts in the Villages, Virginia and Germany. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. There will be a Celebration of Life in Virginia for Bill at a date to be determined when it is convenient for family and friends to gather. Interment will follow with full military honors at the Albert G. Horton Jr. Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation toward cancer research both online at Moffitt.org/Donate or by calling 1-800-456-3434, Extension 1403. Arrangements entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home and Crematory, Lady Lake, FL. Online condolences may be left at www.BeyersFuneralHome.com

William C. Roberts

March 28, 1946 - October 2, 2020