Bill Roberts Obituary

Bill "Fireball" Roberts

March 13, 1933 -

December 23, 2025

HAMPTON - Bill "Fireball" Roberts, age 92, of Hampton, Tennessee passed away on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at Sycamore Springs Assisted Living in Elizabethton. Born on March 13, 1933, in Carter County, Tennessee, Bill was a son of the late William and Bertha Freeman Roberts. In addition to his parents, Bill was also preceded in death by his wife, Thelma Johnson Roberts and a son, William Timothy Roberts in 2018; a nephew, Larry G. Blevins; a niece, Patricia Blevins; his sisters, Lillie Belle Blevins and Lydia Mae Franklin; and a special nephew-in-law, Wallace J. Jarrett.

Bill was an honest and hardworking man who loved his family and his country. He was also a man of integrity, and you always knew where you stood with him.

Bill retired from the United States Air Force, where he attained the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. After his military service, Bill began a successful career in education first as principal at Little Milligan Elementary for 2 years, then at Cloudland High School and finished his career at Hampton High School as a woodworking teacher and was awarded Teacher of the Year, where he retired in 1994.

He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, farming and working his cows and spending time with his beloved dog, Mitzi.

Those left to cherish his memory include a special great niece and nephew, Julie J. Winegar and Lindsey of Bluff City, TN, special great niece and nephew, Deanna (Annie) Hensley and David, niece, Linda Blevins Jarrett of Bluff City, TN, nephew, Gary Wayne Blevins of Roan Mountain, TN, nephew, Benjamin and Linda Franklin of Smithville, TN, niece, Kristie Blevins Chausse of Roan Mountain, TN, nephew, David Blevins of Hampton, TN, niece, Glenda Conner of Johnson City, TN, nephew, Clay Dishman of Wake Forest, NC, niece, Misty Franklin Agee of Smithville, TN, nephew, Wayne Johnson of Hampton, TN; his cousin, Sam Rogers and wife Mabel; his special friends, Bob Stevens, Sandra Hyder, and Monroe Stevens; and his beloved dog, Mitzi.

A celebration of Bill's life will be conducted at 3:00 PM on Sunday, December 28, 2025 in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton with Reverend Danny Osborne officiating. The family will receive friends between the hours of 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM in the funeral home chapel prior to the service on Sunday.

The graveside service will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Monday, December 29, 2025, at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Military honors will be accorded at the graveside. Active pallbearers will be Lindsey Winegar, David Blevins, E.J. Blevins, David Hensley, Wayne Johnson, and J.D. Calhoun. Honorary pallbearers Tony Deloach, Bill Anderson, Dustin Jackson, Bob Stevens, Jim Roberts, Wade Campbell, Monroe Stevens, Ed Chambers, J.C. Campbell, Doug Phillips, Jerry White, the faculty and staff of Hampton High School and former students of Cloudland and Hampton High Schools. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton at 10:15 AM on Monday to go in procession to the cemetery.

The family would like to thank the caregivers and staff of Sycamore Springs Assisted Living, VA Home Based Primary Care and Amedysis Hospice for the love and care shown to Bill during his illness.

Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the Dr. William T. Roberts Scholarship Fund JVS, 700 Pelham Road North, Jacksonville, AL 36265.

Words of sympathy may be shared with the family by visiting our website at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com. Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton is honored to serve the Roberts family. Office phone: 423-542-2232.