NORTH FERRISBURGH — William M. Roberts, “Bill,” one of the good guys, died Oct. 17, 2026, after a long, gentle decline due to dementia. He was a much-loved husband, father, brother and papa.
Bill grew up on a small farm in Addison, at the foot of Snake Mountain, the site of many adventures. He did enough farm work to know that he never wanted to be a farmer.
The General Electric Apprenticeship program offered an excellent, free education. GE continued to pay for his entire college education.
By profession, Bill was a mechanical engineer. He was also one of the first computer engineers at GE. Although he worked at other interesting jobs, his favorite job was with Bowles Corporation in North Ferrisburgh. There he worked on ground water remediation with an innovative and clever group of co-workers.
Bill had many interests. He experimented with wine and beer making. He built robot prototypes. He excelled in photography and woodworking. He loved hot rods and worked on his ’41 Plymouth coupe until it out-foxed him. His family remembers treehouses, go-carts, horses and fence building, trees planted, and his gladiolus blooming. He was a calm, supportive presence. He was a man of quiet faith who walked the walk more than talking the talk. He shouldered his mental and physical decline without complaint and accepted help with dignity and grace. He will be greatly missed.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, Mae and Peter Roberts. He leaves his wife, Michaele; children, Nathan and Emily (Mark); and siblings, Ann (David) McLean and Allen (Victoria) Roberts. He was Papa to Brittay, Tucker, Tim, and Emily and their wonderful families.
Sincere thanks to the many professionals who assisted Bill through his last years. The staff at ACHHH, especially the Hospice support, were our lifeline. Also, many thanks to those who prayed, helped with meals, and cared for us in large and small ways.
A Memorial Mass will be held Sunday, Nov. 15, at 1 p.m., at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Vergennes.
For a full obituary, go to www.gregorycremation.com. ◊
