Wilbur Leroy “Bud” Roberts, 93, of Marble, passed away Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016, in an Asheville hospital.
He was a native of Lenoir but moved to Raleigh in 1948, where he attended N.C. State University. He later lived in Sylva and Clay County before moving to Cherokee County in 1972, where he taught agriculture.
Bud served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a member of Episcopal Church of the Messiah.
He was the son of the late Claudia Margaret Roberts and husband of the late Frances Walker Roberts, who passed away Jan. 13, 2013. He also was preceded in death by two sisters, Lavonda Auton and Margaret Whitener; and one brother, Bruce Roberts.
Surviving are three daughters, Phyllis Emanuel of Murphy, Patricia Alexandria Payne of Brasstown and Pamela Frances Owenby of Marble; a son, William Leroy Roberts II and wife Carol of Cary; a brother, Bobby Ray Hass of Winston-Salem; three grandchildren, Rusty Payne, Shawn Brickey, and Jennifer Owenby; and three great-grandchildren.
Graveside service were held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, at St. John’s Cemetery in Valle Crucis, N.C., with the Rev. R. Allan McCaslin officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Wilbur Leroy Roberts to: Frances Walker Roberts Endowment Fund, c/o Appalachian State University, P.O. Box 32014, Boone, NC 28608-2014.
Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, was in charge of all arrangements.
An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com.