Willard Lee Wolfeyes Roberts
Willard Lee Wolfeyes Roberts was born January 23, 1962, in Altus, OK, to Willard T. and Laura Mae (Hull) Roberts. He died unexpectedly of multi-organ failure on September 26, 2019 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Reno, NV. As an Air Force dependent, he lived in many different places before his father retired and more as an adult, remembering them all fondly. One lesson Lee learned very young was that you can’t pack someone in a suitcase and ship them to the next duty station!
Lee was bright, precocious, funny, stubborn, and rebellious. The latter two traits went far to help him survive the devastation systemic lupus erythematosus would inflict on his body from the age of 15 forward. As a rare male lupus patient, he took part in several medical clinical studies, in the hope his contributions would save others from the pain and illness he suffered to the end. He took things with a grain of salt and a quirky smile upon his face, his “watch me” look defying anyone to tell him he couldn’t survive.
Lee and Denise Johnson were joyfully married on July 29, 1999 by his Uncle Deyrl, in the garden at his parents’ home in Noble, OK, on one of the hottest days of that year. Even at 7pm, it was still 105 degrees. As soon as they were pronounced married, everyone ran for the house to get out of the heat. That day started two decades of adventures, ups, downs, and everything else life can throw. Lee and Denise did not let Lupus define him or their life together, which was chock-full of adventures and fun.
Lee was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents; brother Douglas Ray and sister, Nancy Ruth. He is survived by his soulmate and loving wife, Denise; his most amazing and loving parents; protective and loving sister, Cherry Slaughter; daughter Michelle Hamacher and grandson Callum; stepchildren Chris (Joy) Roberts and William (Megan) Johnson, who shared his birthday; nieces Christy Rauch and Melissa Spieker and their families; uncle and aunt Deyrl and Betty Kastner; cousins Ricky (Susie) Kastner and Laura (Charles) Harmon and their children. He will also be mourned and remembered by a most gentle, caring and loving extended family, including three generations of close-knit cousins.
To honor Lee’s wishes, there will be no services, but a potluck will be held at the Doyle Community Center, October 6 at 11:30 a.m. Lee chose to donate whatever organs and tissues he could to promote research and help others.Truckee Meadows Cremation & Burial is handling the arrangements and Lee’s ashes will be spread in the California mountains he grew to love so much, where his wife will join him in the future. The family requests that anyone considering donations please make them to the Lupus Foundation of American in Lee’s name, 2121 K Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20037 or online at https://www.lupus.org/
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