HAMLET — William Glen (Bill) Roseboro III, 92, of Hamlet, went to meet his heavenly father on April 15, 2021.
Bill was born Nov. 11, 1928 in Hamlet to William G Roseborough Jr. and Minnie Mimms Roseborough. Although his life and military career took him all over the world, he would eventually settle back in his hometown of Hamlet and spend the rest of his days there.
After high school graduation, Bill joined the armed forces at the young age of 17 and began his lifelong military career. He dedicated his life to his country as a proud and distinguished soldier in the United States Army.
In 1945, Pvt. Roseboro was sent to Japan just as World War II was ending. He would continue on from there to serve his country on the battlefields of Korea in 1950-1951 as an infantryman with the 24th Infantry Division, serving six months in “A” Battery, 11th Field Artillery, and six months in “G” Company, 19th Infantry Regiment, earning a Purple Heart for shrapnel injuries to his shoulder and knees.
After returning stateside, he trained and qualified as a parachutist. In 1966-1967, and again in 1969-1971, he was deployed to Vietnam, serving in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, “The Sky Soldiers,” 319th Field Artillery Regiment HHB.
During his years of service, Bill received many honors, commendations and medals, including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Parachute Badge, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Ranger TAB, and a Presidential Unit Citation. His last tour of duty was at HHQ, 82nd Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg. He retired in April, 1974 at the rank of chief warrant officer 3 and was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (retired).
Bill is survived by his wife, Emma Jean Knight Roseboro of the home; son Glen Roseboro (Ethel) of Marshall, daughters Heather Marlowe of Charleston, South Carolina and Debbie Lorris (Keith Knapp) of Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina; nephew Blaine Bare (Erin Scott) of Blowing Rock; stepson Michael Jason Bridges of Charlotte; grandson Daniel Bridges and granddaughter Maura Bridges; brothers-in-law LeGrand Knight (Marilyn) of Locust Grove, Georgia and Danny Knight (Betsy) of Rockingham, and sister-in-law Minnie East of Douglasville, Georgia.
Bill was predeceased by his son, Larry Robert Roseboro, a U.S. Marine and Vietnam combat veteran; and his sister and brother-in-law, Caroline Roseboro Bare and Bart Bare.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Hamlet, followed by a graveside service with military honors at Richmond County Memorial Park Cemetery in Rockingham. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Community Home Care & Hospice, 1791 E. Broad Ave. Rockingham, NC 28379; or First United Methodist Church, 300 Charlotte St., Hamlet, NC 28345.
Online condolences will be made at www.watson-kingfuneralhome.com. Watson-King Funeral Home in Hamlet is serving the Roseboro family.
