William Jesse J Roberson

Jesse “Robby” Roberson, 89, of Midland, surrounded by family in his home, went peacefully to be with his Lord on Sunday, June 5, 2011. He was born in Harmon, Louisiana to Julius Horace and Nancy Elizabeth Roberson on January 18, 1922. He grew up loving sports, and lettered in football and basketball at Vivian High School. After graduating in 1941 he worked around Vivian as a roustabout, and in 1942, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, joined the Navy. He served as a gunners mate in the Naval Armed Guard, manning gun mounts on cargo ships, tankers and troop ships during convoys all over the Pacific. During the war, he saw high seas storms, submarines and torpedoes, shipmates injured by Kamikazes, and soldiers off to battle, but his most memorable event occurred during leave in June 1944 when he met the love of his life, Lila Lee Claus. Jesse and Lila knew each other four days before getting married on D-Day, June 6, 1944. After the war, Lila and Jesse returned to Louisiana and he went to work for Arkla Oil Company. In 1948 he took a job with Magnolia Petroleum as a roustabout, eventually transferring to the West Texas Division in Midland in 1953 to take a job as a Petroleum Engineer Assistant. In 1959, Magnolia was incorporated into Mobil Oil Company and he stayed on, eventually becoming a Production Assistant at the Pegasus Unit.

Jesse leaves behind many, many friends as he and Lila are active members of Crestview Baptist Church and the Mobil retirement club. He was an avid carpenter and enjoyed making wood crafts. He made centerpieces for the Crestview XYZ group, giving them enough for 7 months, without using the same ones twice.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Annie Stevens, a brother, Cecil Roberson, and a sister-in-law, Lola Pace.

Left to cherish Jesse’s memory is his loving wife of 67 years, Lila; son Glenn Roberson and his wife Tonya of Brownwood, TX; daughter Elaine Sullivan and her husband Edwin of Southaven, MS; son Mark Roberson and his wife Carlene of Midland; son Robby Roberson and his wife Wendy of Midland, and daughter Linda White of Southlake, TX. Also left to love and admire their Papaw are twelve grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 6:00 P. M. to 8:00. P.M. on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at Ellis Funeral Home. Service will be at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, June 9, 2011 at Crestview Baptist Church.

Private graveside services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Midland (P.O. Box 2621, Midland, TX 79702).

Condolences may be offered at www.ellisfunerals.com.