Billie Gene Roberts, 66, of Tamaroa, passed away at 9:20 P.M., Tuesday, May 24, 2005 at the VA Medical Center in Marion, IL.
Billie was a truck driver for many years for Porter's Produce.  He was of the Baptist faith.  He was a U.S. Air Force veteran and discharged after basic training.  He was an avid gardener.  He raised and sold plants and gave much of his garden to family and friends.  He was baptized into the First Baptist Church of Du Quoin on October 26, 1947.
He was born on July 11, 1938 at Du Quoin, IL, the son of Joseph Benton and Dorothy Lucille (Rice) Roberts.
He was first married to Judy Joslin and then to Anna Marie Vitale.
He is survived by three children - Bessie Ann Roberts of Du Quoin, two sons - Billie Gene Roberts of Tamaroa, and Robert Joseph Roberts of Du Quoin, three brothers - Marion "Butch" David Roberts of Tamaroa, Freddy Ray Roberts of Beecher, IL, and Kenneth Wayne Roberts of Tamaroa, four sisters - Wilma Ilene Zettler of Du Quoin, Alice Jane Dorsey of Du Quoin, Dorothy JoAnn Roberts of Reno, Nevada, Janet Loretta Davis of Du Quoin, two grandchildren and one great grandchild.  Also surviving are many nieces and nephews, including one very close nephew - Richard Len Miller whom transported him to the doctor and hospital and helped care for him in the last few months of his life and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers - his twin Bobby Dean Roberts and James Thomas Roberts and three sisters - Opal Lorene Samples, Helen Lucille Roberts, and Virginia May Roberts.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M., Friday, May 27, 2005 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Rev. Shaw DeMent officiating.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 P.M., Thursday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.
Cremation will follow the service.
For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.
