William Oliver Roller of Forest, Virginia, went home with his Lord Jesus on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. He was born in East Stone Gap, Virginia on August 4, 1932 to Ellery A. and Grace (Clasby) Roller. Bill graduated from East Stone Gap High School, then enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict, serving in Greenland in Communications. He received his BS in Forestry from the University of Georgia, then earned his Master’s in Environmental Health Administration from East Tennessee State University.
Mr. Roller began working with the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1961, employed as a Forester in eastern Virginia. In 1966, he was named Supervisor of the Strip Mine Reclamation Program and head of the first mined land reclamation program, located in Big Stone Gap, VA. Mr. Roller was named the first Commissioner of Division of Mined Land Reclamation in 1968, which he helped create. He served as Commissioner until 1979 when he transferred to the Minerals Other Than Coal Program, located in Lynchburg, VA. In 1987, Bill was named first Director of the Division of Mineral Mining, where he served until his retirement in 1991. He then worked two intervals for the EPA, retiring in 2009.
He was predeceased by his loving wife of 50 years, Ernestine (Burton) Roller; his parents, and his brother, E.A. Roller, Jr. (Junior).
He is survived by his sister, Evelyn Lester of Evans, Georgia, and his two sons, Dr. William O. Roller, Jr. (Amy) of Forest, VA and Van Chrisman Roller (Kim) of Tazewell, VA; four granddaughters, Abby Barnes (James), Hannah Bailey (Ben), Emily Baldwin (Justin) and Bethany Roller, and six great-grandchildren, Liam, Beau, Emma Kate, Cora, Evelyn and Barrett.
He lived his life as a faithful, humble Christian man of integrity. He exemplified his favorite Scripture of Micah 6:8: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
The family will receive friends on Monday, July 28, 2025 from 12:00 noon – 1:30 pm at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Ave. W., Big Stone Gap, VA.
Military graveside rites will follow, accorded by the United States Air Force Honors Team and local VFW/DAV Posts, at 2:00pm in Riverview Cemetery, East Stone Gap, VA. Pastor James Barnes will be ministering. Family members and friends will serve as pallbearers.
Memorial contributions my be made to: Bedrock Church-Madison Heights, P. O. Box 535, Madison Heights, VA 24572.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the family of William O. Roller.
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