Happy Bill at 5 months old
Long before PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, there were Billy and his girlfriend Norma, scourges of Bolivar Run.
Yeah, I crapped my pants. So what?
Each summer for 20 straight years the Robertsons vactioned at Millsite Lake near the Thousand Islands, NY. Below is Bill (far left) and his sister Jill (front row far right) with the Schulze and Nail
The Schulze kids help unpack my parents' car for another fun week at Millsite Lake. Front row (l-r): Fritz & Steve. Back row: Heidi, Elsa & Billy (me)
Elsa Schulze, Billy R., and Kully Schulze had lots of fun fishin'. Millsite Lake was loaded with trout, bass, panfish, and northern pike.
Mom & Uncle France stand in front of the cottage in July 1954 at Millsite Lake.
L-R Steve, Bill, Cousin Karen & Kully at Millsite Lake as teenagers in the late 60's.
Millsite Lake 1971 (l-r) Pete, Karen, Unidenified Girl, Aunt Marion, Uncle France & Eric Schulze Row 2 Dad (The Sea Monster) & Fritz Schulze
Aunt Marion & Mom enjoy the sun out in front of our cottage at Millsite Lake.
After World War II Bill's Uncle Dick Gordon, a.k.a. Rumbrant MacGlob, became a sign painter and cartoonist.
Bill's Uncle Dick Robertson became an historian of McKean County much in demand for his lectures on narrow gauge railroads, the Kinzua Viaduct, historic houses of Bradford, and the Bucktail Regiment.
Bill's sister, Jill, is also very creative. At a young age she wrote a children's book. The book was based on her toy lion she named "Goonest."
Jill edited her brother's poetry collection, GHOSTS OF A BROKEN HEART.
Surviving heartbreak is what this book is all about.
Jill Marie Robertson (Dec. 4, 1959--Jan. 18, 2009) May she rest in peace. . .
My father, Paul W. Robertson Jr., April 1, 1925--May 7, 2009. May he rest in peace.
Another creative member of the Robertson family is Wade. He writes an outdoor column for local newspapers.
Bill fishes, too.
Bill's favorite sport is baseball. In Little League he was backup catcher for the Lincoln School team.
Bill played softball until he was 50. One of his best years was with Stuck's Garage in 1993 when in 60 AB's he hit .550 with 19 singles, 6 doubles, 7 triples, one home run, and 26 RBI. Bill pitched
Bill has been a Pittsburgh Pirate fan since 1960. His favorite all-time player is Maz, and his favorite current player is Steady Freddy.
Bill's mom and dad stand in front of his boyhood home on Bolivar Drive in Bradford.
Paul Robertson was a great hobbist. He especially enjoyed molding and painting lead soldiers of the American Revolution and Napoleonic War periods.
Edith Robertson was a wonderful baker and cook. Her specialites were beef roasts, ham & egg pie, Swedish butter cookies, and sweetheart salad.
Bill's dad was always clowning around with the family.
Bill's humor can at times still be sophomoric. Here's what he looked like during that period of his life.
This is the Robertson's Scottish coat of arms. "Fierce When Roused" is the family motto.