Walter "Pete" Vernon Roberts

It is with heavy heart that we announce the peaceful passing of Walter "Pete" Vernon Roberts, on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Spring Arbor Assisted Living Facility, Fredericksburg, VA.

Pete had many loves; shooting firearms, repairing firearms, motorcycles, hunting, fishing & the outdoors, his creek property on Aquia, and others. He was born at Sibley Hospital in Washington, D.C. on March 2, 1929, to Walter Radford and Pauline Park Roberts. He had one younger sister Joan Park Roberts. Pete grew up between Washington, D.C. and Georgia, settling in Woodbridge, VA and later Stafford, Virginia. Enlisting in the U. S. Navy at 17, he served as a Gunners Mate on the USS Winslow DD-359/AG-127, 1946-1948. He was awarded the World War 2 Victory medal and received an Honorable Discharge. He went to work at Fort Belvoir, VA as a Civilian Telephone Installer in the early 1950's until his retirement as a work supervisor. Pete's love of firearms started in childhood; he later operated a gunsmith business from his home in Stafford County for many years. After retiring from Government, he became a Special Deputy for the Stafford County Sheriff's Department where he taught shooting techniques to both Federal & Local Law enforcement agencies. At his personal shooting range, he enjoyed the interaction with the public, while making lifelong friends. Pete was a life member of the National Rifle Association, Northern Virginia Gun Collectors Association (VGCA) and German Drilling Club. He was proud of his Smith & Wesson Pistol collection that won many awards within the VGCA. He wrote two privately published books "Some of the Buckles of S&W" and "The Smith & Wesson Revolver N-Frame Hand Ejector". He contributed research and information to the books, "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" and "Laying the Hoe". Pete was the "go to" when it involved firearms and was later called Pistol Pete by those who cared for him! He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Pete is survived by his stepdaughter, Leah Rae Samuels; sons, Walter B, Seth David, Paul Radford, and grandson Marcus Aiden Roberts.

A private interment will take place at a later date at Quantico National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Pete's name to a hospice organization of choice or Spring Arbor Assisted Living Facility.