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William Roberts III
MATTHEWS, Mo. — William Newton “Pud” Roberts III, age 90, passed away on Dec. 12, 2024, at his home in Matthews.
On Nov. 22, 1956, he married the love of his life, June Schuerenberg Roberts, who loved and supported him for 68 years. He was drafted into the army in January 1957. After serving his reserve obligation in the Sikeston/Cape Girardeau, Missouri, he transferred to the 73rd Troop Carrier Squadron at Scott Airforce base, Illinois. During the 32 years with both the Army and Airforce reserves, he served as a loadmaster on a C-119, and then he was with the 932 Civil Engineering Squadron, where he helped with projects in Spain, Germany and Italy. He was employed by the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department in Sikeston as a draftsman for 35 years.
He was born in March 1934, in Matthews, to William Newton Roberts II and Dorothy Fern Brundage Roberts. He grew up in Matthews, where his parents owned the Roberts Grocery Store, and went to SEMO, Cape Girardeau, in pursuit of an engineering degree. He had many hobbies: bowling on leagues for several years, liked woodworking activities, named his backyard workshop “Pud’s Piddlings,” but his favorite of all was watching the Cardinals on TV and going to Busch Stadium when he could. He was even gifted a brick with his name that was placed onto the sidewalk at the new Busch Stadium in 2006. He loved his family and showed them constantly, was always ready to repair anything from a broken necklace, bicycle, to a heart. His love of family, ability to be good natured (loved to tell a silly joke) and welcoming way he had with anyone that came by made everyone who knew him so happy and comfortable.
He is survived by his wife, Annis June Roberts of Matthews; his son, William Newton Roberts IV of Matthews; three daughters, Renee Lathum (Herbert) of Matthews, Alyssa Rausch (Tim) of New Madrid, Missouri, Cassandra Taylor of Matthews; grandchildren, Bill Roberts V, Cammy Hudson, Anthony Roberts (Rachael), Austin Roberts (Lauren), Larissa Launius (Chris), Kendrick Lathum (Michelle), Neka Robertson (Cody), Nicole Vonder Harr (Phil), Derek DeWitt, Josh Dowling (Alison), Audrey Dowling; 25 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandson.
He was predeceased by one granddaughter, Kylie DeWitt, on July 8, 2012.
Visitation will be on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nunneleefuneralchapel.com for the Roberts family.