Funeral services for Mr. Will Roberts were at 11 a.m. Tuesday morning, June 6, 2023, at Santee Baptist Church.  Mr. Roberts was laid to rest at Lonestar Cemetery, beside his beloved wife, Lois Irene Roberts, who passed away in 1979.  Rev. Brad Roberts officiated, assisted by Rev.   Seth Bond.  Mr. Roberts, age 93, entered into the eternal rest of his Lord Saturday morning, June 3, 2023, at the Covington County Hospital in Collins.

The received friends Tuesday morning at Santee Baptist Church, beginning at 9 a.m. until the hour of service at 11 a.m.

Serving as pallbearers were Buddy Bridges, Joe Bridges, James Roberts, Brady Boleware, Brennen Boleware and Brogan Mason.

Mr. Willie Senete Roberts was born on May 7, 1930, in Covington County, to Joe and Nora Belle Graves Roberts.  Mr. Roberts grew up in the Lonestar community and afterwards, he and his wife settled in New Orleans where he worked for the Continental Can Company for 25 years.  Because of his late wife, Lois’, declining health, the family moved back to Prentiss in the mid-1970s to be closer to family.  After returning, he worked several years for the B & R Body Shop in Prentiss.   For over 40 years, Mr. Will, as he was affectionately known by many, enjoyed the slower pace of life in rural South Mississippi, keeping a pristine yard and taking pride in raising a beautiful garden.

One of his favorite past times was watching Boxing matches on television. However, being a Pawpaw was what he loved most.  He doted on his grandchildren, making sure that he met them while getting off the school bus and that they had a good meal prepared for supper.    In addition, his family recalls that their father was a stickler about cleanliness and that his favorite disinfectant was bleach.  They lovingly remark that he used bleach in copious amounts, making sure everything was disinfected and pure white. Mr. Will was a shining example that good Godly men still exist and was loved by all who knew him.  He was a member of Santee Baptist Church.

Mr. Roberts was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Belle Roberts; his wife, Lois Irene Roberts; sisters, Bonnie Jean Peacock, Jewel Lowery, Jessie Griffith, Nanny Sanders, Thelma Bridges and his brothers, Cleveland Roberts, Cletus Roberts, Earl Roberts, Roscoe Roberts and Ken Roberts.

His memory will forever be cherished by his daughters, Elizabeth Smith (the late Paul Sr.) of Hattiesburg, Alison Boleware (Steve) of Prentiss; son, Gary Roberts of Collins; his grandchildren, Paul Smith, Tara Godbold, Janopy Metzger, Brady Boleware, Brennen Boleware and Olivia Boleware; 11 great-grandchildren and a close family friend, Leslie Hudson.

Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com