Leonard Tim Roberts

Leonard "Tim" Roberts, age 92, died from natural causes Friday March 20, 2009 at his home in Bartow. Born October 3, 1916 in Tampa, he was a longtime area resident. Mr. Roberts a veteran of WWII serving in the Army Airborne Infantry in the European Theater. It was in Germany that he earned the Bronze Star for his courage and valor. Upon his discharge as a Lieutenant, he returned to work as a sales representative for Dixie Supply Company in Tampa. After a promotion to District Supervisor, he moved to Winter Haven with his first wife Virginia to and continued to raise their family. He later founded and operated his own sales company, Star Sales, until his retirement in 1987. Mr. Roberts married Josephine Cameron in 1986 and moved to Bartow from Winter Haven and enjoyed 23 wonderful years of marriage to her. During retirement Mr. Roberts enjoyed traveling with Josephine throughout the U.S. as well as abroad, including a tour of Israel and the Holy Land. His hobbies included spiritual and classical music, working with ornamental plants, and he was an avid fisherman. Mr. Roberts attended the First Baptist Church of Eagle Lake where he and Josephine enjoyed many different church activities. Along with his first wife, Virginia, Mr. Roberts is also preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and son-in-laws Damon Massey and Herschel Knighten. He is survived by a loving family that includes his wife of 23 years, Josephine Roberts of Bartow, three daughters; Kay Widlacki (Felix) of Orland Park, IL, Sharon Massey and Beth Knighten both of Winter Haven, his son Edward Roberts (Sally) of Raleigh, NC, and a step daughter Jeanne C. Gonzalez (Jose) of Columbus, IN. He also leaves behind 15 grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, and 5 nieces. Arrangements are being handled by Whidden-McLean Funeral Home in Bartow where family will receive friends Monday, March 23rd from 6 to 8pm. Services will follow Tuesday, March 24th at 11:00am at the First Baptist Church of Eagle Lake. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the First Baptist Church of Eagle Lake Building Fund 2500 US Highway 17 South, Bartow, FL 33830 or Good Shepherd Hospice 105 Arneson Ave. Auburndale, FL 33823.