William C. Roberts

SOUTH PORTLAND - William C. Roberts, 79 of Gorham, formerly of Brigham Street, South Portland, died Friday, October 26, 2012 at Mercy Hospital. Bill was born on August 5, 1933 in South Portland, son of Lawrence H. and Alice M. Gregor Roberts. He attended South Portland Schools. Bill served with the Army during the Korean Conflict. He married the former Patricia M. Dahms at St. Dominic's Church in Portland on November 23, 1957. Bill worked on local vegetable farms as a teenager. Bill's father and brothers opened Broadway Gardens in the 1950s. Bill worked with his family in the business for many years. He developed his love of plants and pets early in life which continued until his death. No matter where Bill lived there were flowers. Each year at his home on Brigham Street, Bill grew magnificent flowers and very productive vegetable gardens. Bill was employed later in life with the Hews Truck Body and Equipment and the Maine Mall. He retired in1995. Bill worked at Conroy-Tully Funeral Home after retirement where he worked as a pall bearer and groundskeeper, again, caring for the flower displays on the grounds. Bill loved to visit Spring Point watching the boats come and go from the harbor. He enjoyed driving throughout Maine especially coastal areas. He took trips to Canada in his young adult years with Lottie and Frank Holbook who considered him a son. He also liked to play beano, scratch tickets and occasional trips to the casinos for slots. He was a member of the South Portland VFW Post No.832. A special thanks to Mercy Hospital staff, especially the 4th floor nurses and Sister Pat. Bill was predeceased by his parents, five brothers Warren, Harold, Philip, John and Lawrence Roberts. Survivors include his beloved wife Patricia Roberts of Gorham; three daughters, Linda L. Martin and her husband Marc of Buxton, Judy L. Hill and her partner Rick of South Portland, Lisa N. Smith and her husband Scott of Limington; three sons, William C. Roberts, Jr. and his wife Denise of Buxton, Christopher F. Roberts and his wife Diane of Gorham, Raymond S. Roberts of South Portland; three sisters, Marion Stevens of Portland, Constance Muia of Indiana, Doreen Fecteau and her husband Armand of Biddeford; a brother Raymond P. Roberts and his partner Marie of Biddeford;12 grandchildren, Chris, Kayla, Brian, Erin, Danny, Kenny, Andrew, A.J., Chuck, Lindsy, Jake, Foster; three great grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Brayden, and Cameron. Visiting hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be held at 9:45 a.m. Thursday at the Chapel followed by a 10:30 Funeral Service at St. John the Evangelist Church, Main Street, South Portland. Military rites will follow.Online condolences may be expressed below.