William (Bill/Swampy) Theodore Milton Roberts, a resident of Westchester for over 50 years, died December 23, 2003 at UCLA Santa Monica Hospital after a long illness. Bill was born in D'Lo, Miss on January 22, 1922, where he graduated valedictorian of his high school class. He graduated from Mississippi State University, with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. During WWII, he worked in the Curtiss Wright aircraft factory in Ohio. ''Swampy'' worked for Rockwell International (North American Aviation) for over 40 years. During his career, he worked on the Space Program in various technical capacities on a variety of platforms including: the X-15, the Apollo Program, the Saturn II rocket, the Space Shuttle and the Space Station. He was interviewed on the day of the Challenger disaster, by CNN and other major news agencies and gave them his analysis of the possible causes for failure, the ultimate cause of the crash included. He was an avid competitive marksman and won the National Championship in Team Rifles and the National Championship for Individual Pistols at Camp Perry Ohio for several years. He served on the Board of Directors for the National Rifle Association and in 1976 was an appointed member to President's Council for Marksmanship. He was a past president and founder of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. He is survived by his wife of over 55 years, Bobbye Roberts, daughters Tracy Katz of Los Angeles, and Margaret Yount of San Diego. He is also survived by son-in-law, Randy Katz and granddaughter Sarah, of Los Angeles, grandson Christopher Yount of New Braunfels, TX , grandson David Yount and his wife, Pam of Cypress and great-grandson Ryan. He was preceded in death by his son William (Billy) TM Roberts II and his daughter, Barbara E. Roberts. A memorial service will be held on January 3, 2004 at 12:00PM at the Westchester United Methodist Church, 8065 Emerson Ave., Westerchester, CA 90045 The family requests that donations be made to the Barbara E. Roberts Memorial Scholarship at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles in lieu of flowers. Visitation: Blank US Funeral Home: White & Day Mortuary 3215 Sepulveda Blvd. Manhattan Beach, CA US 90266