William H. Roth

Date published: 1/6/2004

William H. Roth

William H. Roth Sr., 78, of Fredericksburg died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, at his home.

Bill was born in Reading, Pa. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942 and served in the World War II Pacific Theatre as a machine gunner and scout observer, with training in combat intelligence. He was discharged in 1946 and that same year, he married Grace.

In 1974, Bill moved to Virginia and developed Aquia Harbour from 1978 to 1982. During his 20 years as a resident of Aquia Harbour, he became a founding member of the Aquia Harbour Host Lion's Club.

He is survived by Grace M. Roth, his wife of 57 years. Other survivors include two daughters, Rebecca and Debra; a son, William Jr.; a son-in-law, Peter; and Rebecca's children, Christopher, Michael, Jennifer and Jonathan. He was preceded in death by Rebecca's husband, Cdr. Lawrence Stirk.

A memorial service will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, at Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service, Stafford Chapel, 186 Shelton Shop Road. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 9, at St. William of York Church. Interment will occur in Quantico Marine Corps Base cemetery following Mass.

The family requests that expressions of sympathy be made as donations to the Aquia Harbour Host Lions Club, Box 304, Stafford, Va. 22555; or the St. William of York Building Fund, 3130 Jefferson Davis Highway, Stafford, Va. 22554.

Date published: 1/6/2004