Fort Atkinson Lions Club member Bill Roberts has been named the recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship commendation, according to information released by the club.
Roberts was recognized Monday, May 9, as the club’s 26th honoree inducted into the fellowship.
According to the release, periodically, Lions Clubs have the opportunity to recognize individuals for their dedication to “Lionism” with either the Burch-Sturm or Melvin Jones Fellowship recognition.
“Both of these fellowship recognitions are coveted by Lions in the state of Wisconsin and the 1.5 million Lions throughout the world,” the release stated.
The Melvin Jones Fellowship is a tribute to the founder of Lions Clubs International, Melvin Jones, the release noted.
“He was a man whose personal code was ‘You can’t get very far until you start doing something for somebody else,’” the release read, further noting that Jones founded Lions Clubs International under the motto “We serve.”
According to the release, In 1986, Lion Gus Klatt became the first member of the Fort Atkinson Lions Club to be honored by Lions Clubs International with the Melvin Jones Fellowship commendation.
“There are many deserving individuals in the club, and it is a challenging task for the committee to identify just one recipient for this prestigious honor in our club,” Melvin Jones committee member and May 9 commendation presenter Tom Emrick, was quoted as saying in the release.
“I have the privilege of presenting Lions Clubs International highest form of recognition. This honor symbolizes attributes such as humanitarian and community services, generosity of time, talent, leadership, compassion and concern for others,” Emrick reportedly said during the presentation.
Describing Roberts, he said: “This year’s recipient is such a humanitarian.”
The release continued: A native of Arena, Roberts graduated from River Valley High School in 1967. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Ohio State University, where he studied work management and time-study education.
He has an active interest in civic, cultural, and social organizations in Fort Atkinson and beyond. He is a great ambassador for our community and promotes the spirit of volunteerism.
In the Fort Atkinson community, he was a founding member of the Fort Atkinson Generals baseball team, playing for five years. As a sports enthusiast, Roberts was a founding member of the Fort Atkinson Blackhawk sports booster club, serving on the board of directors. He is serving a two-year term on the Koshkonong Mounds Country Club Board of Directors.
“Not only is his involvement impressive, but the length of his commitment is admirable, as demonstrated by his 47 years as a member of the Wisconsin Inter-scholastic Athletic Association as a sports official in four sports – basketball, volleyball, softball and baseball,” the release stated.
His civic leadership includes serving on the strategic planning and long-range planning committee for the School District of Fort Atkinson. Roberts was a 10-year member of the Fort Atkinson Police and Fire Commission, serving as president for five years. During his tenure, Fort Atkinson hired a police and a fire chief.
Roberts also was a member of the board of directors of the United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties, serving as its President in 1997.
As is a 12-year member of the St. Vincent De Paul Conference Board of Directors, and serves as the board’s president. Additionally, he serves as the onsite coordinator for the Catholic Charities/Second Harvest Mobile Food Pantry.
As an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson for over 50 years, Roberts has served two terms on the Parish Council and is a lector for mass. He combined his commitment to his church and his love of sports when he served as a member of the St. Joseph School Athletic Board and co-chaired the school’s annual golf outing, the release continued.
His leadership at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church includes lifetime membership in the Father Endres Knights of Columbus Council 3396. Roberts is a past Grand Knight and currently serves as a trustee for the group.
“Roberts’ extensive community leadership parallels his involvement in the Fort Atkinson Lions Club. He has been a Fort Atkinson Lion for over 40 years, serving in numerous club officer positions including president from 1989 to 1990,” the release read.
As part of the induction into the Melvin Jones Fellowship, the name “William Roberts” will be added to the extensive list of all Melvin Jones Fellows on display in the Lions International Foundation room at Lions Club International headquarters in Oak Brook, Ill.
In receiving the honor, Roberts said: “It has been a pleasure to be a Lion for over 40 years and loved every minute of it.”
He echoed the Birch-Sturm Fellowship recipient, Steve Schafer’s comment, saying: “You do not become a Lion for the accolades,” the release reported, adding Roberts further commented, saying: “I just help out wherever I can.”
According to the release, Roberts credited his father and grandfather for the advice they provided: “If you live in a small community, you need to ‘live’ in the community.”
Roberts was joined at the presentation by his wife of 53 years, Mary, son Kevin, daughter Stacy and granddaughter Jade. His daughter, Melissa Irving, Dallas, Texas, and her family, participated in the presentation through Zoom.
Bill Roberts
Melvin Jones Fellowship commendation recipient Bill Roberts, seated along with his wife, Mary, and surrounded by members of his family, including granddaughter Jade, standing, from left, son Kevin, and daughter Stacy, along with commendation presenter Tom Emrick gather May 9 after the presentation ceremony. Contributed photos.
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Well deserved!