Salvation Army

Commissioner William Henry Roberts entered training in 1942.

Commissioner William Henry Roberts was Promoted to Glory on Saturday, February 6, 2021 at the age of 98 years and 8 months at Sterling Heights, Michigan.

William was born on May 27, 1922 in Detroit, Michigan. He was the second of three children born to William Henry Roberts, Sr., a Cornish immigrant miner and Lillian Sampson Roberts, a Native American of the Lumbee Tribe.

At the age of 16, William was introduced to The Salvation Army, attending the Detroit Brightmoor Corps for the first time. Having been so taken with the music, at the end of the meeting he found his way to the bandmaster and told him he wished to join his band. He joined the band, he joined the Torchbearers and became a Corps Cadet. His life was changed! In 1940, William won the only ever Territorial Contest for “Corps Cadet of the Year” and was presented his award during the Commissioning of Cadets at Orchestra Hall in Chicago in 1941.

In 1942, with the world at war, William entered the School for Officer’s Training to do battle for God. He did well in his studies and War Cry Evangelism. William played alto horn in the Cadet’s Band, where he found himself sitting next to an incredibly talented red head from Iowa, Cadet Ivy Anderson, who would become his wife and partner in ministry for decades.

Upon his commissioning as an officer in June 1943, Lieutenant Roberts was assigned to the Detroit Bowery Corps (Harbor Light). In 1945, he was promoted to the rank of Captain and married the love of his life on May 9 of that year. They served together in various corps appointments for the next nineteen years including eight years at his all-time favorite appointment, the Detroit Harbor Light Center.

Fifteen years of Divisional appointments followed for the Roberts, first as the Divisional Youth Secretary in the Northern and Eastern Michigan Divisions. Commissioner Roberts then served for six years as Divisional Commander in the Western Michigan and Northern Indiana Division and the Midland Division. While serving as the D.C. in the Midland Division, he inaugurated a program for victims of child abuse, the first such center in the State of Missouri. His final appointment in the USA Central Territory was as Field Secretary for Personnel.

In 1982, the Roberts were sent on their first adventure out of the United States, where Commissioner Roberts was assigned to the Australia Southern Territory as Chief Secretary. They loved Australia, and the Aussies loved them. The next appointment took the Roberts to The Salvation Army International Headquarters in 1985 where he served as the International Secretary for the Americas and the Caribbean and for Development. During this time, Commissioner Roberts served on the Advisory Council to the General for three years, two of which he served as chairman of the Council. In addition, he served on the High Council that elected General Eva Burrows. Commissioner and Mrs. Roberts received their retirement certificates from General Burrows in London on May 6, 1988.

Commissioner Roberts was a Rotarian for many years in the USA as well as in Melbourne, Australia and London, England. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Wayne State University and attended the International College for Officers and the Brengle Institute.

Following retirement, the Commissioner stayed active traveling with Mrs. Roberts to visit family and other places of interest including Alaska. He spent time with his golf buddies on the course, and served as President of Habitat for Humanity in Warsaw, Indiana.

Commissioner Roberts truly enjoyed visiting his family. He was genuinely interested in hearing about their activities and made every effort to attend special events they were involved in. Each one was remembered by name in his daily prayers.

William Henry Roberts, a young man of humble beginnings, answered the call to ministry and responded with his whole heart. He has now gained the riches of glory for a life well lived for the Kingdom of God.

Commissioner William Roberts is survived by his five children: Commissioner William A. (Nancy) Roberts, Suzanne (Victor) Danielson, Major Linda Melton, Betty (Rev. Dr. Joseph) Baunoch, John Roberts, 9 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation Friday 4-8 pm with funeral 12:30 pm Saturday at the Salvation Army Royal Oak Citadel Corps, 3015 N. Main Street, Royal Oak, MI 48067.

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