William E. Robertson

William (“Bill”) Robertson, passed away peacefully in the early hours of November 13, 2021 at the age of 91.  He was born in Consumers, Utah, a small mining town.  Bill learned early on that he wanted more out of life.  As he grew up working in the coal mines in Castle Gate he was not satisfied with the life.  He wanted nice cars and a good job to raise a family on.  He married Eileen Ruth Battiste in 1950 and they longed for children.  Eight of them arrived in 10 years. Eileen passed away in 1988 after they celebrated 38 years together.

Bill entered the Marine Corp with his best buddy and was very proud of his service.  He later joined Standard Oil Company and worked his way up the ladder to provide for his family.  He reached his dream owning his own Conoco Gas station in Bountiful, Utah, until his retirement at age 54.  He was so pleased that so many of his friends from St. Olaf’s would come by and visit while he worked on their cars.  

Bill joined the Catholic church in 1954 after marrying Eileen.  He was a daily communicant for most of his years, never wanting the priest to say Mass by himself.  He had a deep spiritual curiosity and prayer life with his vision being Universal Restoration for all.  He and Mom donated much of their time and energy to St. Olaf’s Church and School.  He and many of his dear friends started Harold’s night that helped fund the school.  He was a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus and held many jobs supporting the church.  Bill and Eileen were curious about deepening their marriage and used the tools of dialogue from Marriage Encounter to strengthen their communication.  Bill and Eileen had many friends over the years at St. Olaf’s and it was there they met Roy and Rosie Evans.  After Roy and Eileen passed, Bill and Rosie joined together and spent 31 years together, before her passing in 2020.

Bill and Rosie chose a different path strengthening their relationship by being a Team Couple participating in Retrouvaille.  They were presented the Madeleine Medal of Appreciation for Faithful Service by the Most Reverend John C. Wester for their exemplary contribution to the St. Olaf’s community over the years. Bill always said that Rosie taught him how to deeply love all his children and each of the grandkids making them feel special. They enjoyed camping, canoeing, traveling many times to Hawaii.  Bill especially enjoyed mountain biking through Mueller Park and hiking with his dogs, children and grandchildren, to show them the beauty of nature and stopping and greeting each person with smile in the mountains. 

Bill is survived by his children, Gloria (Ken) Fullmer, Nancy McEwan, Mike (Robynn Parrish) Robertson, Pat (Joni) Robertson, Gina (Ernesto) Garza, John (Margaret) Robertson, and Mary (Susan) Evans, and 24 Grandchildren and 36 Great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by Rosie’s children, Jeanne (Larry) Cross, Tom (Ginger) Evans, Rick (Teresa) Evans, Randy (Stephanie) Evans and grandchildren and his two sisters, Rita and Colleen, and so many dear friends who played and traveled with Bill on his journey. He was also blessed by many Catholic priests and nuns who were part of the family and many of which became best friends. He is preceded in death by his parents James Elmer and Inez Goulding Robertson, and his loving spouses Eileen Battiste and Rosie Evans, daughter Deborah Vanderbur, son-in-law Mike McEwan, grandson Jacob Robertson and his sister, Shirley Etzel. 

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Olaf’s Catholic Church, 276 East 1700 South, Bountiful, on Saturday November 20th at 11:30 am, followed by committal at Mt. Calgary Catholic Cemetery, 4^th Avenue and “T” Street, Salt Lake City.  Friends are invited to call upon the family and pay their respects before Mass from 10:00 am to 11:30 am.  Bill’s care has been entrusted to Starks Funeral Parlor. For those unable to attend, his services may be viewed live by returning to this page and clicking the “Watch Service Live” button just before mass begins.  Funeral mass and graveside will be posted on the page shortly thereafter for all to view on demand.

In lieu of flowers the family invites you to donate to St. Olaf’s Catholic School, St. Olaf’s Catholic Church, or any other charity in Bill’s name.  

Here is Bill’s epitaph, as written by him, “At the end of my Journey (LIFE) I pray I will know that it is all about coming to know the God, that was there all of the time.  It was all about experiencing God’s love and we are all ONE!”  The family believes this was accomplished beautifully in this life.  

The family would like to thank Lejla and her staff at Creekside Senior Living Memory Care, as well as Atlas Home Care and Hospice.  They would also like to personally thank Carli Tingey and Ashley Fullmer, two of his granddaughters, who gave personal care to Bill during his later years.

The family is forever grateful for the time they shared with Bill and believe he is at peace with God. Thank you, Dad, for helping us see We Are all One.  We love you.