Bill Roberts

"Be true to yourself, help others, make each day your masterpiece, make friendship a fine art, drink deeply from good books - especially the Bible, build a shelter against a rainy day, give thanks for your blessings and pray for guidance every day." - John Wooden. Covell William Roberts, known to his friends and family as “Bill,” passed away peacefully at his home in Lake Gregory on March 28, 2015. Born in Huntington Park in 1929, Bill was an Eagle Scout, graduated Huntington Park High School, attended the University of California at Los Angeles and served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War. Upon his return from Korea, Bill joined his father in the family business, Universal Chassis Company. Together they designed and manufactured parts for the construction, lighting and motorhome industry. Bills’ gregarious nature led him to focus on sales and marketing.

For more than twenty years, Bill lived in Downey where he raised three children, Linda, Susan, and Cameron with his first wife Frances. While living in Downey, Bill was active in the Downey United Methodist Church, Boy Scouts of America, Downey Tennis Club, YMCA and Rotary. Bill coached football and baseball with the Downey Junior Athletic Association.

Thereafter, Bill remarried and moved to Anaheim with his wife, Sharon, and two stepchildren Paul and Kristen Bailey. While living in Anaheim, Bill’s Christian faith deepened. Bill studied to be a lay minister, served as an Associate Pastor and a Youth Pastor in the Methodist Church, often sharing the lessons of Experiencing God. Bill and Sharon enjoyed hosting Bible and discipleship studies and took a trip to the Holy Land together.

Bill loved camping in California’s mountains, deserts, and beaches. An avid tennis fan, Bill commonly attended tournaments at Indian Wells and Manhattan Beach. Bill served as Rotarian for 45 years, a past President of the Downey club, a Paul Harris Fellow and fondly remembered for establishing the Annual Rotary Community Recognition Banquet at Lake Gregory, now in its 14th year. Recently, Bill was honored by Rotary receiving the Service Above Self Award.

Bill and Sharon retired to Lake Gregory, California where they enjoyed mountain living and raising their granddaughter. Bill is survived by his wife Sharon, daughters Linda and Susan, son Cameron and step-children Paul and Kristen as well as 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held at Arrowhead Church of the Woods, 1410 Calgary Dr, Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352, at 1 pm on Saturday, April 18th. www.churchofthewoods.org.

2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

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Published: April 9, 2015 - Volume 13 - Issue 52