Wilson David Roberts

Wilson David Roberts, 91, was called to his eternal home on Friday, November 24, 2017, at Lynchburg General Hospital in Lynchburg, Virginia. Locally known as “Dee” but also as “Pat” in the Norfolk/Va. Beach area, the youngest of 12 children, was born February 27, 1926, in Norfolk, Virginia to John and Lucy Roberts. Surrounded by a family that cherished music, he quickly gravitated toward the piano. He graduated from Norview High School in January of 1944 while also attending the Ewell Conservatory of Music.

By August of ’44, he was drafted and deployed to the European theater of WWII in the 364th infantry replacement division. Shortly upon his arrival, his musical talent was discovered by a captain and he was reassigned to the 117-74 AGF band. He spent the majority of his tour in Italy, playing for many USO shows including the Radio City Rockettes. Once back stateside, he continued to play for many big bands through the years, eventually founding the Dee Roberts Orchestra, fronted by his beloved wife Norma.

In 1952, Dee began a long, entrepreneurial career in the music retail business, opening Roberts Piano Company in Staunton, Charlottesville, and ultimately downtown Lynchburg next to the old Paramount Theater. He quickly established himself as a premier piano player on the East Coast while growing the business into a full-service music brand – servicing all of central and southern Virginia. One of his greatest accomplishments was collaborating with John Bach to create the Lynchburg City Schools String Program. With Rudy Hazuka and Bruce Habitzruther, it grew to be one of the largest string programs on the East Coast. He successfully operated Roberts Piano Company for 52 years until his retirement in 2004. After retirement, he worked as a volunteer at Virginia Baptist Hospital up until a few months before his passing.

A lifelong believer, Dee used his many musical talents to serve the Lord. Devoting countless hours on Sundays, he could be found playing the piano, organ, or singing in the choir. He loved his community and was actively involved on the boards of the Downtown Merchants Association, Lynchburg Fine Arts Center, Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra, and New Covenant School.

Dee is preceded in death by his parents, John and Lucy; his eldest son, Wilson David Roberts, Jr.; seven brothers and four sisters. He is survived by his wife, Norma; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Roberts Webb; son and daughter-in-law, Malcolm and Vickie Roberts; daughter and son-in-law, Pauline and Stephen Shinn; son and daughter-in-law, Ray and Rebecca Carroll; son Michael Carroll; son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Kira Roberts; and son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Michaela Roberts; as well as fourteen treasured grandchildren and seven adored great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 1, 2017 at Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church at 1:00 pm. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lynchburg City Schools Strings at the following address: Bedford Hills School, 4330 Morningside Drive, Lynchburg, VA  24503 C/O Ginger Paris; or The American Cancer Society, 2050 Langhorne Rd # 201, Lynchburg, VA 24501.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.

 

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