William B. "Bill" Roberts

William B. Roberts, 75, of Marietta, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2024 after fighting cancer for several years. Bill was born in Lancaster on September 28, 1948 to James W. Roberts and Sara “Sally” Fellenbaum Roberts. The oldest of three children, Bill was raised in Mount Joy, but found his home in Marietta. Bill was a graduate of Donegal High School and Millersville University. In 1967, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served honorably for four years as a hospital corpsman. He served at Navy Medical Centers in Connecticut and Virginia, as well as on the USS Furse. After leaving the Navy, Bill worked as a Patrolman for the Mount Joy Borough Police Department while earning his degree in political science and history. In 1980, he became Chief of Police for Marietta Borough, a position he held until 1996 when the Marietta Police Department became part of the newly formed Susquehanna Regional Police Department. After serving as Sergeant and Chief, Bill retired from SRPD in 2011. In his younger years, Bill loved playing tennis, winning several awards in the Police Olympics, and he later served as the tennis coach at Donegal High School. A man of many hobbies, he loved sailing, golf, photography, and scuba diving. Bill also enjoyed riding bike and watching his favorite sports teams, especially the Cubbies. Bill and Marianne loved traveling. Some of their favorite destinations included New Orleans, Savannah, Charleston, Chicago, and France. Bill’s favorite spot and “happy place” was their beach house in Ocean City, MD, where he particularly enjoyed spending time with his grandson, Cameron, and his beloved dog, Nola. Cooking and baking bread were two of Bill’s favorite pastimes. Dinners with family and friends always included a loaf of warmly baked bread from Bill’s kitchen. Bill’s shrimp and grits and shepherd’s pie were family holiday favorites. Bill was an avid music enthusiast. While he enjoyed all genres of music, classical music was by far his favorite. Listening to music in his music room brought him joy and relaxation. Bill was a kind and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. Serving as police chief in a small town, Bill knew everyone, and everyone knew Bill. He will be deeply missed. Bill is survived by his wife Marianne of Marietta; daughter Adrienne of Marietta; son Alex of Lancaster; stepchildren Hillorie Leaman of Bryn Mawr, Emily Leaman of Landisville, and Robert Leaman of Lancaster; grandsons Zachary Roberts, Cameron Murphy, Ty Brommer, Simon and George Merrick, and Tiago Leaman Bravo; sister Deborah Griffin of Vail, Colorado, and several nieces and nephews. Bill was predeceased by his parents, James W. Roberts and Sara Fellenbaum Roberts, and his sister, Barbara Roberts. A celebration of life service with military honors will be held at the Marietta Community House, 264 W. Market St., Marietta, on Saturday, April 13 at 2:30 p.m. There will be no visitation beforehand, but there will be a reception after the service. Memorial gifts in Bill’s name can be made to Pennsylvania Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.).

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William B. "Bill" Roberts

September 28, 1948 - March 20, 2024