Edward Watson Robarts

Edward Watson Robarts - SYLVANIA - Edward Watson Robarts, of Sylvania died Saturday, August 22, at Ogeechee Area Hospice in Statesboro. The son of Carl Theodore and Leila Mae Marsh Roberts, Mr. Robarts was born May 26, 1922 in the Halcyondale area of southern Screven County. After graduating Screven County High School in 1940, he worked at A&P in Miami, Florida with his aunt and uncle, John and Nell Marsh. He joined the Florida National Guard November 18, 1940 and was called to active duty six days later. In 1942, he was transferred to Army Air Corp and assigned to Hunter Army Air Field. He graduated in June 1943 from pilot training under the Aviation Student Program and was assigned co-pilot on B-24 crew for training at Biggs Army Air Field in El Paso, Texas. He then, in January 1944, completed 18 missions in southern Italy, followed by the completion of 35 missions in England in October 1944. Mr. Robarts received the Air Force Medal with three oak leaf clusters, DFC and ETO campaign ribbons with six Battle Stars. He returned to the United States in December 1944 and was assigned to Ferry Division of Air Transport Command and was current in At-6, C-47, B-25 and B-24. He separated from Air Corp in September 1946. Mr. Robarts attended the University of Georgia in classes at Hunter Army Field in Savannah and in 1948 transferred to Auburn University, graduating in 1951 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Still a member of the Air Force Reserve, he was recalled to active duty March 1951. He completed Navigation and was assigned to the B-47 Program. He decided not to make a career in the Air Force and worked for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, followed by 15 years at Lycoming Turbine, engine division. He retired in 1984 to a farm just five miles from his birthplace. He and his wife, Betty, traveled in a recreational vehicle to many places in the United States, Canada, and Alaska and took their grandchildren to the beach every year. He volunteered for 14 years at the 8th Air Force Museum, beginning a year before it opened in 1996, and was a member of the Birthplace Chapter. He was preceded in death by his siblings: Miriam (Lloyd) Boykin, Ruby (Dewey) Clarke, Kathryn (Sam) Mashburn; Carl Robarts and Harold Robarts. Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Betty Bemis Robarts, three children, John Robarts of Sylvania, Sarah Robarts of Mooresville, NC and Polly (Sal) Nicosia of Springville, PA; nine grandchildren, Captain Sal Nicosia, Second Lieutenant Tony (Kelly) Nicosia, Vince Nicosia, Teresa Nicosia, Angela Nicosia, Gino Nicosia, Marine Staff Sergeant Chris Stinnett, Katy Stinnett and Bobby Stinnett; two great-grandchildren, Alyssa Duffy and Tristan Duffy. Funeral services will be held at the Might Eighth Air Force Museum at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, Georgia 31322. Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home Screven Chapel Savannah Morning News August 24, 2009 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at savannahnow.com/obituaries .