BILLY SMITH ROBERTS

Billy S. Roberts of Concord, Alabama passed away at the age of 94 on Friday, September 8th 2023. He was born and raised in Hueytown, Alabama. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of sixty-five years, Mary (Knight) Roberts; brothers, Bode Roberts, Elman Roberts, Lane Roberts; sisters, Emma Nell (Roberts) McLellan and Ezell (Roberts) Hood. He is survived by his sister Barbara (Roberts) Meeks of Pleasant Grove, Alabama; cousin, Sherry (Huey) Barrington of Bessemer, Alabama; nieces, Beth (Roberts) Burleson of Birmingham, Alabama, Debbie (Spurlin) Roberts of Trussville, Alabama; nephew, Wayne Roberts of Thomasville, Georgia; and several other nieces, nephews and cousins. Billy’s careers included working as an aviation electrical specialist in the U.S. Navy at the Pensacola Naval Air Station, the U.S. Navy Reserve and later with Hayes Aircraft in Birmingham, Alabama. He also worked in engineering design with Alabama Power for 15 years and Rust Engineering for 20 years. He enjoyed telling stories about projects he had traveled to all across the country in connection to his work with Rust Engineering. Billy loved Hueytown and served as president and a dedicated member of a variety of civic groups and community organizations. He was a lifelong member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church. He served on the church’s cemetery committee for many years and was responsible for its upkeep and operations for 15 or more years. Billy helped his wife Mary publish a book on the history of Hueytown. They spent over a year collecting stories and images from most of the pioneer families in the Hueytown area. One of Billy’s passions was showing his AKC registered Schnauzers and Yorkshire Terriers. He and his wife Mary traveled across the country showing their dogs at American Kennel Club events. He was very proud of the blue ribbons they won at some of the events. Billy was a devoted and loving husband, who loved people and enjoyed helping others. He never met a stranger. Billy enjoyed talking and joking with anyone he met. Everyone knew him by his contagious laugh. His positive presence encouraged people wherever he went including right up to the last days of his long life. Billy will be dearly missed by all who knew him. A light has gone out. Visitation will be on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at 1:00 PM at Peoples Chapel Funeral Home, 195 Brooklane Drive Hueytown, AL 35023. Celebration of life service will be at 2:00 PM, officiated by Pastor Kyle Sullivan from Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church. A family burial will follow at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery.

BILLY SMITH ROBERTS

January 25, 1929 - September 8, 2023