Bill Roberson

BILL ROBERSON Tupelo - Bill Roberson, 66, passed away Friday, January 31, 2014 at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo surrounded by family and friends. He was born May 21, 1947, in Tupelo to the late Luther and Ruth Parham Roberson. He graduated from Tupelo High School in 1965. After high school, he got his start in broadcasting as a radio D.J. with WTUP working the late night shift and affectionately known as "The Midnight Mayor and The Morning Judge". During his time at WTUP he became a member of the Mississippi Broadcasters Association. In 1971 Bill decided to answer a call to the ministry and moved to Nashville to attend the Free Will Baptist Bible College. Never losing his love for broadcasting, he continued as a radio D.J. for a Christian radio station in Nashville while attending school. After ordination into the Free Will Baptist Church in 1973, he returned to Tupelo and started working for Bama/Borden Food Company as a salesman. Given that opportunity, he was able to set up radio remotes in the stores he called on. After resigning from food sales, he was able to start his own Video and Audio Production Business which started on his kitchen table. After much time and nourishment, The Electronic Playground, has moved and grown into a successful business of thirty two years. His career in video and audio production was his dream and led to many opportunities where he met and worked with many great radio and TV personalities nationwide. His business was his hobby and his life. The ability to talk came very natural and all that knew him have had the opportunity to hear many of his stories. But his heart and mind was always seeking knowledge of the Bible and sharing the word of God. Shortly after starting his business, in 1982, he received a call to preach at a small church, New Gauley Free Will Baptist Church, in Calhoun City where he made many very special friends. Once again he used his natural ability to talk, to spread the gospel. In 1988 he had to make the tough decision to resign from the church to attend to his ever growing business. Bill remained in his faith and returned to attend the Tupelo Free Will Baptist Church where he had grown up. He continued to attend there until his health failed. He was blessed with the ability to continue working and was thankful for the offer and opportunity to participate in the Dudie Burger Festival as a D.J. Through it all, he was very blessed and remained very strong in mind, and in his faith. A celebration of his life will be at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 4, 2014, at The Tupelo Free Will Baptist Church with Bro. Terry Pierce and Bro. Dale Carr officiating. Burial will be at Tupelo Memorial Park. W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include two sons, Nicholas Roberson of Marion, Arkansas, Landon Roberson and daughter-in-law Jennifer Roberson of Tupelo; one step-son, Jason Jaggers and wife Christy of Mooreville; one step-daughter, Tana Mann and husband Brad of Mooreville; three grandchildren, Emily Roberson of Tupelo, Mathew Liverett and Scout Roberson both of Tupelo; two step-grandchildren, Courtney Rooker and husband Allen of Saltillo and Jordan Mann of Mooreville; one very special brother, John Thomas "Bud" Roberson of Tupelo: the mother of his children, Jeanne Roberson of Tupelo; lifetime friends, Ron McDonald of Knoxville, Eleanor Ross, Joyce Burns and Jone Cornelius all of Tupelo; a special friend, Beverley Davidson of Houlka. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sandra Roberson; his aunt, JoAnn Parham Barnes and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Franklin Parham. Pallbearers will be Jamie Bishop, Kevin Dohler, Dale Harrison, Cotton McCoy, Bob Knight, Jackie Clayton and Terry Swindol. Honorary pallbearers will be Ron McDonald, James D. Scott, Bob Pitman, Bobby Carnathan, Joe Cody and the staff of W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors. Visitation will be 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home and from 11:00 a.m. until service time Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Tupelo Free Will Baptist Church, 1650 N. Veterans Memorial Blvd., Tupelo, MS 38804.