William Roberts

William A. (Bill) Roberts, 94, died November 18 at his home. He was born March 20, 1916, in Topeka, the son of William Julius and Grace Golda Roberts. He was a Sea Scout and an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Topeka High School, Stricklers Business College and the Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing for Men. He married Lois Allen in 1940; they divorced. During World War II, he served as Chief Pharmacist Mate in the USMS from 1943 to 1945. He was a member of the group that successfully worked to get recognition and equal rights in the armed services for male nurses. In 1946 he was employed by the Menninger clinic. (He was one of the first male R.N.s employed in Topeka.) He worked at Menninger for the next 36 years. He was the first nurse to complete the educational training to become a member of the Menninger Psychotherapy Service. He was an avid sportsman. In the 1930's, he was employed by the YMCA to begin swimming classes for the general public at the city pool. These classes ranged from children to grandmothers. For many years he was active in the Topeka Tennis Association. He was a charter member of the Wood Valley Racquet Club. He helped with the Topeka Junior tennis program and enjoyed playing tennis with his friends until he was in his 80's. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Wayne Roberts, who died in the Air Force in W.W.II. He married Leah L. Tier, June 26, 1948. She survives at home. Other survivors include: a sister, Dorothy Brune, Topeka; two sons, William A. Werts (Ruby) Milledgeville, GA; John W. Roberts (Linda) Holt, MO; one daughter, Mary J. Pitter (Scott) Wakarusa; four granddaughters, Jerbundy Mullis, Erica O'Brien, Anna Ames, Mary Jane Roberts and five great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 20, 2010, at Shawnee Center Cemetery, Wakarusa. Mr. Roberts will lie in state after 3:00 p.m. Friday, November 19, 2010, at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka. Memorials may be directed to Topeka Rescue Mission, PO Box 8550, Topeka, KS 66608-0350.