William Reed Robertson

William Reed Robertson (Bill) passed away peacefully at the Portneuf Regional Medical Center in Pocatello, Idaho on May 19, 2016.

The oldest of three children, Bill was born in Evanston Wyoming to Clarence and Mary Frances Robertson. As a youngster, his family moved to Pocatello, Idaho, where he met the love of his life, Alice Mae Pehrson. The two of them married in April 1958 and started on the multiple missions of raising a family and serving the country.

Together, they enjoyed twenty-two years of travel and adventure while Bill served in the US Navy. Bill was a Mustang – He enlisted at the age of 18, became a Naval Warrant Officer, and was later Commissioned as a Naval Officer.

Bill served in a number of sensitive capacities with the US Navy. Key assignments included serving as the Fleet Ballistic Missile Weapons Maintenance Officer at the Guided Missile School, at Dam Neck, Virginia. He supervised the operations of Poseidon and Trident Missiles. He served on a number of submarines and ships, including the USS Nathanael Greene (SSBN) and the USS Holland.

Following his retirement from the Navy, Bill and Alice (and the kids) returned to Pocatello, where he worked as an electrical designer for the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. He went on to open and run his own business, ABCO, which specialized in electrical design for large installations. Never one to sit still, Bill continued to work for the City of Pocatello and the Pocatello School district during his retirement.

A wonderful husband, Bill considered it his greatest privilege and honor to love, serve and protect his loving wife, Alice. He loved his kids, and led many trips across the country with them all. He enjoyed camping, boating, hunting and fishing. A devout Catholic, he taught his family love, honor and respect. Bill was a private pilot, and enjoyed seeing Idaho's beautiful mountains from the cockpit of a Cessna or Piper. Once he put away his pilot's license, Bill enjoyed spending more time with his favorite shih tzu, Ronnie.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Alice, and will always be remembered by his six children - Bonnie Jedrziewski (Dave), Bill Robertson Jr. (Debbie), Doug Robertson, Craig Robertson (Laura), Joe Robertson (Melissa) and Ali Robertson. He is also survived by his two sisters, Carol Ann and Mary Frances, fifteen grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He also has a grandson and a great granddaughter on the way. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and one very special granddaughter, Casey Marie Jedrziewski.

Bill touched the lives of many people with his warm smile and generosity. A viewing with vigil service will be held from 4pm-6pm on Sunday, May 22, 2016 at St. Joseph Church, 439 N. Hayes. Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, May 23, 2016 at 10am at the same location. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family under the "Share a Memory" tab on this page.