William Edward Roberts

William Edward Roberts was born February 1, 1926 to Raymond Sawyer Roberts and Carrie Begiebing Roberts and died at home on July 9, 2025. He grew up in Jacksonville, Vermont and graduated from Whitingham High School before enlisting in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II.

In 1947, he married his devoted wife of 73 years, Marguerite Deming Roberts, who predeceased him in February 2021. They settled in Hinsdale, New Hampshire in 1956.

Bill worked at R. S. Roberts, Inc. in Brattleboro, Vermont for 25 years, twelve years as the service manager. Later, he started RoBust Sales and Services, Inc. with two friends and eventually owned and operated the business for twenty years before retiring.

Bill served in the New Hampshire Legislature for two terms and while there he was a member of the Resources, Recreation and Development Committee. He also worked on the Wantastiquet Region River Subcommittee and the Connecticut River Joint Commission.

He was a council member of the Friends of Pisgah State Park for eighteen years and served several years as President.

He served as a selectman in Hinsdale for two terms, was a member and chair of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and was a member of the Fire Department for 22 years. He was an active member of the Hinsdale Historical Society, being honored in 2016 for his work on the restoration of the barn at the Col. Ebenezer Hinsdale House. In addition, he served on the Hinsdale Conservation Commission for over ten years. In 2006, the Hinsdale Board of Selectmen dedicated the Town Report to Bill, along with Marguerite, for “their many years of dedication to the town.”

Bill enjoyed the outdoors, including fishing, snowmobiling and golfing. There were a number of memorable hunting trips in Canada with his brother Doc and his son Ken. Bill was a mechanic at heart; he understood how things work and could fix them. He repaired old bicycles for all of his grandchildren to ride while visiting, as well as snowmobiles which he rode with them. After retiring, he spent many years restoring antique gas and diesel engines.

Surviving Bill are his son Kenneth (Natalee) and daughters Susan and Martha. Their son Raymond died in 1990 and their daughter Joyce died in 2012. Bill’s older brothers Oscar (Doc), E. James and Richard also predeceased him.

Additional survivors of Bill are grandchildren Rachel Sooter (Josh Joy), Kailin Kroetz (Jon Cook), Stacia Kroetz, Troy Sooter, and Jennifer Roberts (Ted) Keating; and great-grandchildren Kiera, Avery, Sawyer and Juniper. Bill will also be missed by nieces, nephews, and friends, including those of the local coffee group and community lunches.

There will be a brief graveside service with military honors at 11:00 on July 26, 2025 at the Pine Grove Cemetery on Depot Street in Hinsdale. Everyone is invited to join the family for lunch at the Hinsdale Millstream Community Center following the service.

If you would like to send a memorial contribution, and in lieu of flowers, please support the Hinsdale Fire Department, 13 Depot Street, Hinsdale, NH 03451, the Hinsdale Historical Society, 609 Brattleboro Road, Hinsdale, NH 03451 or a charity of your choice.