William Preston Roberts

William Preston Roberts, Jr. "Tipps", 58, of Dothan, passed away September 30, 2016 at his residence.

Funeral Services will be held at 1 pm on Friday at Greater Beulah Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park with Robert Byrd directing.

William Preston Roberts, Jr. was born on January 25, 1958 in Wilmington, North Carolina to the late William Preston Roberts, Sr. and Beulah Jackson Roberts.  He departed this life on Friday, September 30, 2016.

One of five children Marvin E. Roberts, who predeceased him in 1998, Mary, Rosemary and Frankie, Preston was a self-proclaimed, quintessential middle child: independent, hard working and outspoken.  A child of humble beginnings, he experienced the harsh realities of an impoverished life.  Telephones and indoor plumbing were luxuries not availed to him.  He once recounted that his first shower was at the age of eighteen, when he enlisted in the military.  These experiences become the catalyst for his purpose driven life.

Preston enlisted in the United States Army in 1976.  As a soldier, the military satisfied his need for adventure, his need for all things related to engines and his need to strive for excellence.  Aviation was his passion.  A chinook guy to the core, he made sure everyone knew which aircraft was the best.  During his twenty-one year career, he amassed a host of honors, medals, awards and certifications for a job well done.  He toured the world from Ft. Campbell, Kentucky to Hawaii, Alaska, Korea and finally to Ft. Rucker, Alabama.  After years of honorable service, he retired as a Sergeant First Class with the 1st BN 210th AVN HHC TC and walked away with a wealth of experience and knowledge.   Never one to remain idle, he focused his attention toward helping young men at the Dozier Juvenile Correctional Facility, where he worked for ten years as both an advisor and mentor.  Upon leaving Dozier, he worked at MTA, Inc. in Huntsville, Alabama.  The perfect post-military career, he often said that at MTA, “I get paid for what I know rather than what I do.”

Who knew that in 1980, a chance meeting with his kid brother’s tutor would result in a thirty-five year love affair.  On January 30, 1981, he married the former Bertha Lee Bryant.  Anyone who knew them understood that she was his “one in a million”.  From their union, William Preston III and Erica Denise were born.  While many considered him a father-figure, to his children, P.J. and Erica, he was a hands-on, present dad.

Preston become a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church at an early age, and his commitment and devotion to the church never wavered.  This man of faith worked tirelessly to spread the gospel of Christ and gave selflessly of his time and talent for the betterment of his church and community.  He wore several hats within the church, to include: usher, pathfinder director, choir member, deacon, constituency member and head elder.

Anyone that knew “Tipps” understood his love of family, chinooks, cars, motorcycles, golf and people: from his collection of Volkswagens, the starched pants—that stood by themselves, his golf games with friends and family, to his never-ending rescue mentality.  For a man with only two biological children, he often talked about all of his “kids”: those who sought his advice and/or needed his guidance.  He was a lender, not a borrower, willing to give at all times.  His words of counsel will remain timeless reminders of his strength and character.  Beyond his stern exterior was a gentle and kind giant.  He truly believed, the race is not given to the swift nor the strong, but to those that endure to the end . . .

He leaves to mourn all those who loved him: Bertha, his wife and friend; his children, P.J. Tonya and Erica; his grandchildren, Mya, Chloe and Beckham; his siblings, Mary Gaymon, Rosemary Hickman Wendell and Frankie Roberts Sheila; a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws, other relatives and countless friends.

“No man is indispensable, but some are irreplaceable.”  Preston will be missed.