Wendell Roberts

WENDELL ROBERTS

WOOD RIVER — Wendell Ray Roberts passed away peacefully on Feb. 11, 2018 at the age of 81. He is survived by his companion Linda Locklear, brother James Galen Roberts, sister Emajean (Roberts) Swindle and his children Jeff Roberts, Cindy (Roberts) Leonard and Stan Roberts, grandchildren Nate Roberts, Caty Roberts, Emily Roberts, Elizabeth Roberts and Maya Leonard and great-grandson Rodney Denson III. He was preceded in death by his parents James Irby Roberts and Dulcie Lee (Fitzgerald) Roberts, brothers William Harlan Roberts and John Darrel Roberts, a sister Linda Lee (Roberts) Spence, and son Greg Roberts.

Born in Paragould, Arkansas on Jan. 30, 1937, he attended Arkansas State University, University of Missouri at Rolla and graduated Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He began his 30 year career at Mc Donnell Douglas Aircraft corporation, working in the Loft department as an engineer and later as a CAD/CAM operator as computers were developed. His projects included the F-15 Eagle and the F/A-18 Hornet.

Ray was active in the East Alton/ Wood River community as an East Alton Elementary school board member, Jaycees Wildcat football coach, Wood River City Traffic Commission and the Eastwood Subdivision Association. He belonged to the East Alton American Legion and the Wood River Moose Lodge. He was a lifelong fan of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks football and St. Louis Cardinal Baseball. He had a love of cars and cooking, and he always had a joke to tell.

Memorial visitation will be held Friday, Feb. 16 from 11 a.m. until services begin at 12 p.m. at Paynic Home for Funerals, 618 East Airline Drive, East Alton, Illinois 62024-1900.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice.

An online guestbook is available at www.paynicfh.com.