Billie Dean Roberts, Sr. Obituary Jay, OK - Billie Dean Roberts, Sr. died Monday night, January 8, 2007 at St. John's Regional Medical Center, Joplin, Missouri. Billie was born September 2, 1940 at Noble, Illinois to Rice Glenn Roberts and Mertie (Guthrie) Roberts. He grew up in the cotton fields of eastern Arkansas, earning a man's wages at age eight. From 1958-1961, Billie was stationed in Korea as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army for three years. Although his formal education only lasted to the eighth grade, Billie accomplished many things in life. He owned six donut shops for a period of seven years. Billie moved to Oklahoma in 1975 and had cabins on Lake Eucha for 12 years. He currently has owned and operated the Jay Motel, until he built the Holiday Pines Motel in Jay back in 1984. Billie had also served 12 years as the mayor of Jay. He enjoyed fishing, playing with grandchildren, traveling and playing cards on Sunday with his family, including his 89-year-old mother. Solitaire and crossword puzzles also occupied some of his time. Survivors include his wife, Wilma of the home; his mother, Mertie Roberts of Jay; three sons, Jim Starr of Salt Lake City, Utah, Bill Roberts, Jr. & his wife, Joni of Jay, and John Roberts & his wife, Carla of Pryor, Oklahoma; two daughters, Tenna Shotpouch and her husband, Mike of Jay and Barbara Newsome and her husband, Dennis of Salt Lake City; eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father and by a sister, Doris Day. Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 12, 2007 at First Assembly of God, Jay, Oklahoma with interment at Mt. Hermon Cemetery, east of Jay, under the direction of Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home, Jay. Military graveside rites will be provided by Grove Veterans Ritual Team. Visitation will be Thursday night, 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Family and friends may send online condolences by viewing obituaries at www.honoringmemories.com.
Service Details
Friday, January 12th, 2007 2:00pm, First Assembly of God - Jay
Interment Details
Mt. Hermon Church