Walter Leon Roberts Jr

Walter L. Roberts, 98 of Sanford passed away Monday December 24, 2018. Graveside services will be held at 1:00pm Saturday January 5th at Jonesboro Cemetery.

Mr. Roberts was born in Smithfield, NC in 1920, son of the late Walter L. Roberts and Metta Daughtry Roberts. Walter was nine years old when the Great Depression hit. At that time his father owned a General Store in Selma. He graduated from Sanford High School and was married in 1946 to Tulline Rice Roberts who preceded him in death. He also was preceded in death by siblings, Rachel Roberts Keane, Jennie Louise Roberts Blaszak, Dr Harold Ross Roberts, James Daniel Roberts, and Joyce Roberts.

He started playing golf in his mid 20’s at Sanford Golf Course and usually played three times a week until the age of 97. He loved his golf friends and the staff at the golf course. He was a longtime member and a Deacon at Jonesboro Baptist Church. He worked 32 years as a Mail clerk on the Sea Board Railroad and coached Little League Baseball in Sanford for many years.

Mr. Roberts served the US Army in WWII and received many decorations including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, American Theater Campaign Medal, Phi Liphine Liberation Rainbow with 2 Bronze Service Stars, and the Good Conduct Medal.    

Mr. Roberts is survived by daughters, Pennie Roberts Christian (deceased husband William), and Patricia Roberts Causey (Brent); grandchildren, William A Christian (Noel), Matthew B. Christian, Jeffrey B Causey (Betsy), and Lauren Causey Steinberg; grandchildren, Melanie Christian, Hannah Christian, Mary Grace Morrow, Ella Christian, Bergen Causey, Sydney Steinberg and Macy Steinberg.

Memorial contributions can be made to Sanford Lions Club, PO Box 892, Sanford, NC 27331-0892.