Joseph Wilbert Roberts

Joseph Wilbert Roberts was born in St Martinsville, Louisiana in 1936 to Octave Roberts and Edmonia Meaux. He had five brothers and one sister: Paul, Andrew, Alfred, Joseph, Antoine and Mary and went by the nickname “Shum”. Joe joined the Navy when he turned 17. His tenure sent him to port cities in Japan, the Philippines and his beloved Hawaiian Islands. It also began a sense of wanderlust that would last him a lifetime. After his honorable discharge from the service, he joined the migration from the south by moving out west with his nephew. They landed in Salinas, California to help his older brother Paul run a small business at the local Army Base. He attended Hartnell College through the GI Bill and received an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice. In 1961 on a blind date arranged by family members he met his future wife, Savannah Lilly. After three years of letters and phone calls they were married in 1964 and began a union that would last more than 49 years. Joe and Savannah settled in the Monterey area where they raised their two children Kevin and Dionne. After a brief stint at Spreckles, Joe took a position as a Counselor at Boy’s Ranch. It is there he found his calling. When he left 10 years later to join the Monterey County Probation Department he was a seasoned professional who commanded respect and admiration from his peers. Known as “JR,” for the next 30 years he successfully served his community as a Field Probation Officer. After he retired he indulged a dream by moving to Hawaii. He and Savannah had a rich adventure. They jumped right in the community. He served as an extra on the set of a Hollywood movie, and an episode of the former television show ER. He swam every day in the waters off Waikiki, practiced Tai chi, yoga and even danced the Samba during various island festivals. He found the peaceful serenity he had always loved about Hawaii. In 2007 Joe and Savannah moved back to the Mainland and settled in Las Vegas, Nevada. Joe being the outgoing person he was quickly made friends in the community. He was active in a veteran’s group, neighborhood watch, a singing group (The Songsters!) and most recently was taking piano lessons. More than most Joe embraced life with gusto. He loved hiking with his best friend Jay, listening to Nat King Cole, gardening, singing and hanging out in Santa Cruz by the beach. Road trips were a must. He and Savannah enjoyed visiting Red Rock Canyon, camping in Utah and touring National Parks. When he wasn’t traveling he was reading about travel and actively participating in a travel club. Joe’s memory will last forever in the hearts of his wife and partner Savannah, children Kevin and Dionne, younger brother Antoine, brother & sister in law Eric & Sandra Lilly, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins and friends across the country.