Obituary: William T. Roe III

William Roe , age 76, Hamilton, moved to heaven Nov. 5, 2024. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William Roe Jr. and Geraldine (Baker, Roe) Davis; also his stepfather Harold Davis.  Bill is survived by his wife and partner Beverly;  his family: Shawnee Davis, Shane (Diana) Davis, Amber (Pete) Combs, Scarlet (Jeff) Day, Michael (Morgan) Everett.

Bill was an entrepreneur by the age of 10, selling Yule logs and sapling trees harvested from surrounding woodlands. Bill graduated in engineering from Miami University while working at Mosler Safe Company.  

His restaurant career spanned 35 years, starting at Sambo’s Restaurant in Richmond, Indiana and advancing to executive positions at WR Grace El Torito and Chi Chi’s . In 1982, he opened his first Pedro’s Restaurant in Hamilton, later expanding to five Pedro’s Angus Steakhouses in Oxford, Fairfield, Middletown and Richmond, Indiana. 

At Pedro’s Angus Farm, Bill surprised and inspired many with his business sense, innovations and marketing skills. He laughingly admitted: “When we started raising cattle, I didn’t know a heifer from a Hereford.” With the cattle heritage of his wife Bev, and the sweat equity of their partner Michael Everett, the Angus operation thrived. 

Bill fought melanoma and neuroendocrine liver-pancreas cancers for three years. After a miraculous recovery in 2022 and told his congregation: “My next stage in life is to find out what God spared me for.” 

Bill’s long illness fueled his growth and faith in the Lord Jesus. He lived his life by the mantra: “NEVER GIVE UP.” Bill’s spirit never gave up. He just moved to a higher location.

A celebration of life will be held, Nov. 17 at 3 PM at College Corner Presbyterian Church. Visitation starts at 2 PM.