Jan. 15, 1932-Feb, 18, 2006
Roy James Roberts, 74, of Lebanon, a former longtime Sweet Home resident, died at his home Feb. 18, 2006.
He was born Jan. 15, 1932 in Colcord, Okla., the son of Herman W. and Hattie Sisson Roberts. He attended schools in Oklahoma and in Willamina, Ore., before settling in Sweet Home.
Mr. Roberts served in the U.S. Army in Germany during the Korean Conflict. On Feb. 10, 1954 he married Anna Lea Wilson Roberts in Miami, Okla. They settled in Sweet Home for nearly 10 years before moving to California, where he owned and operated an Arco service station and did mechanical work for several years before returning to Sweet Home. He worked for several mills in the Sweet Home and Lebanon area.
Mr. Roberts enjoyed fishing and music. He played the fiddle, string bass and sang in western bands for over 50 years, playing with many of the “big names,” including Farin Young, Buck Owens and Billy Jack Wills.
Survivors include his wife, Anna of Lebanon; son Jesse Roberts of Hillsboro; two brothers, Herman “Cotton” Roberts of Mabton, Wash., and Donald Roberts of Albany; a sister, Evelyn Dalton of Sweet Home; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Janie Anne Heyder, and two brothers, Howard W. and Clinton Roberts.
Graveside services were held Feb. 23 at Gilliland Cemetery in Sweet Home. Workman & Steckly Funeral Chapel handled the arrangements.