ARKADELPHIA — Billy George Roberts,

age 85, of Arkadelphia, died at his home early Saturday, with his beloved wife by his side.

Billy grew up in Arkadelphia and after graduating from High School, he enlisted in the Air Force to work on jet engines. He was stationed in Rome, New York, he met the “love of his life” Betty Jane Gardner. They were together almost sixty-five years.

They moved to Little Rock where they raised their family. After the Air Force, Billy became a tool and dye maker retiring from Teletype in 1991. He loved to bow hunt and fish. Billy enjoyed woodworking and making furniture for many family members and friends.

Survivors are his wife, Betty Jane Gardner Roberts; his children, Roxanne Roberts of Little Rock, Tammy Fox (Robert) of Little Rock, and Jeffrey “Scotty” Roberts (Belinda) of Hot Springs; his grandchildren, Brittany Kellar (Robert) of Hot Springs, Lauren Fox of Little Rock, Jeffrey Roberts, Jr. (Ashley) of Jacksonville, Aly Fox Laverick (Jack) of Sheffield, United Kingdom, William Roberts of Little Rock, Caroline Price (Dusty) of Little Rock and Hunter Thompson of Lonsdale; great-grandchildren, Evan, Gage, and Livi Kellar, Marley Roberts and Mya Hood; his sister, Lavetta Collie of Donaldson and brother-in-law, Bob Gardner of Jacksonville, North Carolina; many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will 1 p.m., Tuesday, April 12, at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home. Service will follow at 2 p.m., with Bro. Ricky Collie officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery near Alpine. Pallbearers are Robert Fox, Robert Kellar, Harold Hilliard, William Roberts, Jeffrey Roberts Jr. and Hunter Thompson. Honorary pallbearers will be Evan Kellar and Gage Kellar. Memorials may be made to Oak Grove Community Church or to Cemetery Fund.