William Maxwell “Bill” Roberts, age 91, died Jan. 6 at Island Health and Rehabilitation Center on Bainbridge Island.

He was born Oct. 16, 1912 in Roundup, Mt., to Jasper Alexander and Mary Maxwell Roberts.

His father died when he was 6 years old, and he had to assume greater responsibilities in running the family homestead.

At age 14, he repaired an old Model T Ford and drove his sister Esther and his mother west to settle in Steptoe, Wash. There, he worked at various jobs including farming and equipment repair. He graduated from Colfax High School in 1931.

He met his wife Frances at a square dance, and they were married in 1939 in Bremerton.

During World War II, he worked at the Navy shipyard in Bremerton as a heavy equipment operator.

He and his wife moved to Bainbridge Island in 1946. They started a business that eventually became Roberts Jeweler.

To make ends meet, he worked as a bulldozer operator. He did the grading for the Winslow ferry terminal parking lot and the Bloedel Reserve. He was the first treasurer of the Winslow City Council, incorporated in 1947.

He was a member of Eagle Harbor Congregational Church since 1946; he sang in the choir and served on many boards.

He and Frances retired in 1975 and concentrated on gardening, remodeling projects and travel.

He is survived by his wife Frances of Bainbridge Island; daughter Rita (Adrian) Rowe of Bainbridge Island; granddaughter Elisa (Wayne) Louis of Seattle; grandson Mark (Sarah) Rowe of Renton; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Esther Paulson.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church.

Memorial donations can be made to Children’s Hospital, PO Box 50020, Mailstop S200, Seattle, WA 98145-5020, or Bainbridge Island Firefighters Association, 8895 Madison Avenue, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.