Billy Gene Roberts, 82, better known to everyone as Ike Roberts from Marathon, entered eternal rest on Jan. 29, 2023. Ike was born Nov. 26, 1940, in Alpine, Texas to Travis and Polly Roberts.

He was raised in Marathon, Texas and grew up working on the family ranch and the Catto Gage Ranch. He attended Sul Ross State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration.

Ike met his lifelong partner “Sue” in Marathon, a few weeks after she arrived in West Texas from England to work for the Gage Holland Family. The two were smittened by one another. Ike proposed and traveled to England with Sue and they were married on Jan. 4, 1967.

Ike and Sue spent 54 years together until Sue’s passing. Ike spent his career working on the Catto-Gage Ranch and Roberts Ranch.

He was a public servant, involved with agriculture boards (Big Bend Soil & Water Conservation District board for thirty plus years, FSA Board, ASCS, Water Board), history associations (He was a member of the Brewster County Historical Commission, Center for Big Bend Studies Advisory Board, and Marathon Museum), volunteer for National Weather Service and Big Bend National Park. He was a Brewster County Election Judge for many years. He volunteered and greatly enjoyed helping the Big Bend Amateur Radio Club, especially field day.

He was Catholic and a parishioner of the Marathon Catholic Church. Later in life, he could be found every weekend at the Farmer’s Market in Alpine.

Ike has five wonderful grandkids: Larry, Michael, George, Margaret, and Sarah Roberts. He loved his grandkids; whether he was giving them the instructions on how to do something correctly, giving them a weather report on how much it rained or a local history lesson and quiz; he was happy (and they usually were too).

Ike was preceded in death by his wife Sue, his parents Travis and Polly, sister Betty, brothers Travis Jr. and John and his beloved daughter Sally. He is survived by sons Joe (Zaira) Roberts and Tim (Amy) Roberts, and grandkids Margaret, Sarah, Larry, Michael, and George.

Rosary will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10 at St. Mary’s Catholic Mission in Marathon.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11 at St. Mary’s Catholic Mission followed by graveside service at the Marathon Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Mary’s Mission in Marathon.

Online condolences may be left at: www.alpinememorialfuneralhome. com Services have been entrusted to Alpine Memorial Funeral Home in Alpine, Texas.