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IJO founder Roberts dies

August 19, 2008

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Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.—William Roberts Jr., founder of the Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO), died Aug. 8 while vacationing in Highland Falls, N.C. He was 83.

Roberts was most recently a resident of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Previously, he called Westport and Redding, Conn., home.

In 1970, Roberts founded the IJO, the largest independent buying group for retail jewelers. Over the years, his influence has been far-reaching, from the thousands of member jewelers crossing his path while he was at the helm of the organization for more than 30 years, to the hundreds of members who joined IJO after his retirement. He enjoyed celebrity status in the industry and was known for his stimulating and inspiring speeches.

Roberts passed his enthusiasm for the industry down to his son, Jeff Roberts, now the owner of IJO.

Previous to founding IJO, Roberts served in the Pacific with the U.S. Marine Corps. A World War II veteran, Roberts was awarded a Purple Heart.

Roberts was an avid sailor and world traveler. He twice served as a volunteer in the Israeli Army, repairing and servicing Merkava tanks. Upon his retirement, Roberts also found time to be a volunteer at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla.

He is survived by his wife Barbara, five children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A funeral mass is slated to be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 27 at Our Lady of the Sea Church in Ponte Vedra, Fla. An additional memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sept. 12 at Saugatuck Congregational Church in Westport, Conn.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Roberts' favorite charities, the Alzheimer's Association or The Smile Train.
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