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BORN
1937
DIED
2014
William Roth Obituary
Valparaiso, Florida
William Lawrence Roth, age 77, passed away December 25th, 2014, with his children by his side. Wild Bill was born on January 30, 1937 in Carroll, IA to parents, Henry and Magdalen (Schulte) Roth of Carroll, IA. He graduated from Carroll High in 1955. After proudly serving in the US Air Force from 1956 to 1960, he moved to Santa Cruz, CA where he accepted a job as a Field Engineer with Lockheed Missile & Space Company. He served on the Live Oak School Board, Santa Cruz Fish and Game Commission and was the Commissioner of the Santa Cruz Port District in 1978. In 1985, Bill moved to Florida where he supported Lockheed's mission at Eglin Air Force Base. He retired from Lockheed in 1999, and stayed in his home overlooking the water in Valparaiso, FL. He loved to tell his friends that he didn't have to go on vacations because sitting on his back porch watching the water from his home on "Toms Bayou" was like being on vacation every day. Bill found great joy spending time with friends and family. He enjoyed driving his boat across the many water ways and bayous. Bill was a generous and loving father. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Alice Goreham (Ray).
"Wild Bill" is survived by his wife, Betty Roth (Morris), of Valparaiso FL; his children, Sarah Mehan (Mike) of Scottsdale, AZ, Laura Roth of Santa Cruz, CA, Suzi Ritter of Lake Mary, FL and Scott Roth of Portland, OR; along with more grandchildren than he could shake his finger at. He is also survived by his siblings, Phyllis Luke (Maurice) of Sac City, IA, Judy Peitz (Jim) of Oregon City, OR, and Tom Roth of Livingston, MT.
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Memories and Condolences
for William Roth
Sponsored by santacruzsentinel.com.
January 15, 2015
Love and prayers to all.Our deepest condolences to your family. Linda and Bob Beeson Family; Riverside , Iowa
Lee Goreham
January 14, 2015
Our deepest condolences to your family. Lee and Bonnie goreham
Lisa Ekers
January 5, 2015
The Santa Cruz Port District sends its sincerest condolences. Commissioner Roth served the Port District and the Santa Cruz Harbor with distinction and grace. Our best wishes to his family during this sad time.
Jim Andrews
January 3, 2015
Wonderful generous man. I loved his stories...
January 3, 2015
My prayers go out to this family.
Sharon Watson
January 2, 2015
The Roth's were Our Neighbors for almost 20 years. We were the Lotman Drive Parents. Many pleasant memories with Bill. Sympathies to Sarah, Scott and Laura. Sorry for Your loss.
TJ Peitz
January 2, 2015
Uncle Bill was simply great. My memories include visiting him in Ca and reunions in Iowa. He was always fun, outgoing and generous. The dynamics between him and his siblings is something to remember. Uncle Bill's outgoing and wild personality and Aunt Alice's (R.I.P) practicality went from one extreme to the other. Covering all bases. This difference created laughter and joy (though they may not have known it). It's hard when family is literally all over the country to stay close. The beauty of the Roth family is no matter how far apart we are and though we may not see each other often when we do, we all have a blast. Uncle Bill, along with Aunt Alice and Cousin Judy(R.I.P) were huge parts of that. My thoughts and prayers go out to my cousins along with my love and found memories. Please take care.
T.J.
Barbara Alexander
January 2, 2015
My childhood memories will always include your Dad. I will always remember his red Mustang that he kept in the garage. My prayers and love go to out to you Sarah, Laura and Scott.
Mark and Paula McCrea
December 31, 2014
Our love and condolences are with you all.
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