William 'Smokey' Roberts has passed away in his mid 90's.
He was a very well known diver in Lancaster PA. Smokey was a dive instructor, cinematographer, photographer and most of all an adventurer.
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After serving in the US Navy in WWll he joined the "101 Ranch Boys Band" as 'Sonny' Roberts, they earned several Gold Records with Columbia and served as backup band to singer Gene Autrey.
Once he was interested in SCUBA diving he left the band and founded 'Smokey's Divers Den' along side his wife, Dotty in Lancaster PA. Smokey was a dive instructor and has trained thousands of divers.
He later purchased part of the nearby Billmeyer Quarry to ensure good diver access.
He became a popular and skilled underwater photographer and film maker working with National Geographic, NOVA and others as well as a frequent presenter at dive shows.
Smokey revered his Boston Sea Rover 1973 Diver of the Year award and felt honored to be a BSR Associate.
Smokey later formed a film making company, SR Productions, that became a widely recognized regional commercial enterprise making use of the latest video technologies.
Here's to You "Smokey"
