William J. "Bill" Roberts

William J. Roberts died June 15th 2012. Bill grew up in DeLand, FL where he graduated from DeLand High School. He was active in the Future Farmers of America and was an Eagle Scout. Bill earned a bachelor’s degree, a masters in American Studies and a law degree from Stetson University. He served as an Army Infantry Officer in Europe in the 1950’s. Bill began his legal career as Assistant to Attorney General Richard Ervin in 1958. He served as Executive Director of the Florida Legislative Committee on Finance and Taxation and General Council to the Florida Secretary of state Tom Adams. In private law practice Bill represented the Florida Association of Counties as well as the Florida Airports Council for more than 35 years. For the past 10 years he has been “of council” to the Tallahassee Public Finance Firm of Neighbors, Giblin and Nickerson P.A. In addition Bill also authored many legal publications. Bill was admitted to practice before all State and Federal Courts including the United States Supreme Court where he appeared as Amicus Curiae for the State of Florida in the landmark Teacher Loyalty Oath case, Cramp vs. Orange County Board of Education. Bill was also a member of the Colorado Bar. Bill’s many activities included the Stetson Arts and Science Board, trustee of the Appalachee Land Conservancy, Member of Faith Presbyterian Church. Included in his many activities, he was an active member of the Rotary Club of Tallahassee as well as associate counselor to the Childrens’ Home Society. He was named Child Advocate of the Year in 1998, served as Chairman of the tax section of the Florida Bar and Chairman of the Legislative Committee of the Florida Bar. Bill was also noted as a charter member of the Economic Club of Florida. Always known as an avid outdoorsman, Bill also included in his list of accomplishments being a licensed pilot and also frequently engaged in scuba diving, skiing, hiking as well as hunting & fishing adventures from Argentina to Alaska, Colorado to the Florida Keys. Bill was often found at his Bear Creek Farm in Gadsden County where his family raised angus cattle, quarter horses and most recently pine trees. Bill Roberts is survived by his wife of 45 years, Mary Jo, their two children, Randy of Tallahassee and daughter, Rhonda of Carbondale, Colorado. Randy and his wife, Rebecca, provided two wonderful grandchildren to Bill and Mary Jo and they are living here in Tallahassee, Will and Sam Roberts. Bill’s sister, Bettye Scott lives in Ocala as well as numerous other Cousins, nieces and nephews. Memorial Services will be held at Faith Presbyterian Church on Monday June 18th at 4:00pm with a reception to celebrate Bill’s life immediately following in the Fellowship Hall. Bevis Funeral Home is in charge. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, The Rotary International Foundation, Big Bend Hospice House of Tallahassee, The Children’s Home Society of Florida or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Tributes

William J. "Bill" Roberts

October 5, 1931 - June 15, 2012