William Roy Robinson, Jr., 83, devoted son, husband, father and indulgent grandpa, passed away on December 18, 2018, in Winston-Salem.
Born in Gastonia on August 10, 1935, Roy enjoyed in his youth a reputation as a hellion, not only setting off fireworks indoors and sneaking into–and being expelled from–baseball games, but also spying on the bootleggers around Booger Mountain and getting chased off by their whizzing bullets. When he drove by, residents would remark, “There goes Roy, like a bat outta hell.”
From his parents, the late William Roy Robinson, Sr., and Lida Stacy Robinson, Roy quickly learned self-reliance and the value of a buck and would purchase movie tickets from money earned collecting soda bottles and running paper routes. He also learned the virtues of patience, devotion to family, taking care of others, and being cool, although these took more time. After he knocked his mom out. Accidentally.
After graduating from Gastonia High School in 1953, Roy attended Davidson College, where he was on the track and field team, earned his BA in Business upon graduation in 1957, and formed lifelong friendships. In 1958, he married Allene Hudson, also from Gastonia, and began his 38-year career with Wachovia Bank, first in Charlotte, then later in Winston-Salem, until his early retirement in 1996.
Together he and his wife raised a son and daughter in Clemmons, where they were community leaders, founding the local PTA chapter. Roy also saved countless lives by donating his rare blood; coached and managed Clemmons Little League Baseball; was an Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 736; and was active in the Clemmons Civic Club, promoting–and consuming–their pancake breakfasts and assisting with their investment portfolio to fund West Forsyth High School scholarships.
A graduate of and, subsequently, teacher at the American Institute of Banking (Investments), Roy developed a deep passion for the stock market and began day trading of stocks, specializing in the selling of call and put options. He loved to explain to anyone that would listen the intricacies and magic of options and taught many people the technique of option trading.
Blessed with a keen wit, analytical mind, and a competitive, feisty spirit, Roy loved a puzzle and never turned down a challenge. During the ’60s and ’70s, he was a professional contester. He was both a card, winning joke contests, and a card shark. An expert bridge player, Roy challenged any takers, especially his nieces, to marathon bridge matches and played weekly at the Shepherd’s Center, South Fork, and Miller Park in Winston-Salem.
Preceded in death by his beloved wife, Allene Hudson Robinson, Roy leaves behind his grieving children, West Tripp Robinson of Davidson and Susan Allene Robinson of Clemmons; sister, Carolyn Robinson Lineberger of Dallas; brothers, Stacy Banks Robinson of Charlotte and Starr Neely Robinson of Forest City; daughter-in-law, Becky Montelibano, and granddaughter, Kalista Chuanshi Robinson, both of Davidson; granddog, Rosie Mathilda; and many loved ones, both friends and family.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 29, at 2:00 p.m. at Clemmons Moravian Church, 3535 Spangenberg Ave. The family will receive friends for a visitation following the service.
Frank Vogler & Sons Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. www.frankvoglerandsonsclemmons.com
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to either Davidson College or the Clemmons Civic Club.
Published in Gaston Gazette on Dec. 23, 2018