Obituary for Wilford Roberts of Perry

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1925
Wilford Roberts

Wilford Roberts, 83, of Perry died Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, at his home in Perry, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held Monday, Jan. 25 at 10 a.m. at the Carris Family Funeral Home in Perry. Visitation will be Sunday, Jan. 24 at the Carris Family Funeral Home from 2-5 p.m., with a Masonic Lodge service held at 5 p.m. Burial will be in the Mowrer Cemetery at Perry.

Memorials will be given to the Otley Masonic Lodge, Rowley Masonic Community or Perry Fire Department and may be left at the Carris Family Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent at www.carrisfuneralhome.com.

Wilford Harry Roberts was born June 17, 1932, in Beresford, S.D. to George Elmer and Ethel May Bonine Roberts.

He attended school at Perry High School, graduating with the class of 1951.

After graduating, Wilford said he went to “The School of Hard Knocks” and was still learning.

From 1952 to 1956, he served in the U.S. Air Force as a flight engineer and instructor on B-29 and B-50 airplanes at the U.S. Training Command, Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento, Calif.

He was united in marriage to Winona Jean Hicks in Adel, Iowa, April 10, 1972.

Wilford was self-employed and owned several businesses over his lifetime. He farmed for a few years, operated Roberts Wrecker Service, did underground trenching and had a hydro-jetting business.

Wilford was an active member of the Otley Masonic Lodge in Perry, served on the Perry Volunteer Fire Department for 35 years, for part of which he was Fire Chief, was instrumental in starting the Perry Rescue Unit, was a Red Cross volunteer, member of the Perry City Council and was involved with Abilities Unlimited.

He enjoyed making things with wood and metal, gardening and visiting cemeteries.

He was preceded in death by parents, G.E. and Ethel Roberts; and a sister, Joyce Joens.

He is survived by his wife, Winona Roberts of Perry; children, Ron (Paula) Roberts of Rock Island, Ill., Rhonda (Bill) Olson of Perry, Steve (Judy) Grimsley of Lincoln, Neb., Ron (Jody) Grimsley of Jefferson, Bill (Rosie) Grimsley of Avon, Ind., and Kathy (Chuck) Foor of Springville, N.Y.; grandchildren, Matt Roberts, Mikayla Roberts, Anna (Jordan) Scott, Aaron (Bobbi) Baxter, Kyle (Mindy) Baxter, Barb (Mark) Thacker, Amanda (Mark) Going, Alyssa (Eric) Meendering, Jenna Grimsley, Jennifer (Mark) Dutcher, Jessica (Julio) Castillo, Jill Grimsley, Viqtoree Grimsley; many loving great-grandchildren; a brother, Gerald (Sherry) Roberts of Delta, Colo.; and two sisters, Janet (Harry) Schmidt of Loudon, Tenn., and Delores (Ron) Peterson of Boxholm, Iowa.

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