He was the son of Joseph and Emma Robles and the oldest of 11 siblings. He grew up in Denver, Colorado and fondly spoke of many childhood adventures there including ‘walking miles in the snow’ and sledding on sleds made of cardboard or garbage can lids. After High School, William, known by family and friends as Bill, worked briefly for the Inland Paper Co. as a shipping clerk. He later enlisted in the US Navy on February 4, 1946 a week shy of his 18th birthday. He was a part of the military occupation of Japan after World War II while aboard the USS Guadalupe.
Bill was honorably discharged from the military in November of 1947. He relocated to California where he worked at several jobs and was enlisted in the Army National Guard for 3 years from 1950 to 1953. While working at Cudahy Packing Company, he met his future wife, Nellie Rios. They dated, fell in love, and were married in 1954 and in the course of time started their family. Their children included, William Jr., Steven, Albert, Michael and Patricia. Bill eventually became a federal employee with the US Postal Service, where he worked for almost 30 years until his retirement.
As a man of faith, he was an active church member. Over the years he served as an usher welcoming attendees, was a deacon and served on the church board. He was a Royal Ranger commander who taught boys about camping, fishing as well as learning the bible and was a great storyteller around the campfire. He also spent time as part of a jail ministry team and brought the Word of God to the inmates of the local Fresno County jail who eagerly awaited the visits.
Bill was an avid fisherman. He enjoyed fishing at local lakes and occasionally at the ocean beaches. He often fished with friends and relatives or sometimes enjoyed the quiet solitude of fishing by himself. He spent a few years as a Webelos den Leader for the Boy Scouts of America. He was a music lover, who enjoyed traditional Mexican music, big band music, and dancing with his wife. He enjoyed watching sports such as boxing, wrestling, hockey and always supported his Denver Broncos football team. Most of all, he enjoyed his family time. Taking his family on Sunday drives to the park to eat watermelon, to the coast to enjoy the cool climate, or just simply throwing a football in the backyard with his boys. In later years, as the grandchildren came along, he took great joy in having a new generation to teach and to tell his stories to.
Bill is survived by his wife Nellie, 5 children, 12 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild and 4 of his siblings, Leonard, Paul, Tanya, and Carol.
A visitation for William will be held Thursday, December 8, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Stephens and Bean Funeral Chapel, 202 North Teilman, Fresno, CA 93706. A funeral service will occur Friday, December 9, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Bethel Christian Center, 4665 N First St, Fresno, CA 93726.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stephensandbean.com for the Robles family.
