ALEXANDRIA (LBM) — Bill Robertson, a well-known and respected figure among Louisiana Baptists, passed away suddenly Monday, February 24. No cause of death was given but Robertson, 67, had been battling a cold and congestion.
“It is shocking news,” Louisiana Baptists Executive Director Steve Horn told the Baptist Message. “In the short time (June to November) we worked together, I thought we had a great start. He proved to be very capable of leading the pastoral leadership team.
John Hebert, Louisiana Baptists team leader for missions and ministry, was also shocked to hear the news of Robertson’s sudden passing.
“Bill (Robertson) had a major impact on the leaders and pastors throughout the convention. He was active in the convention even before becoming a member of the leadership team.”
As a pastor, Robertson, a graduate of Louisiana College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, was honored as Louisiana Baptist Convention preacher of the year in 1997 and 2007. He was serving as pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Winnsboro when he was elected as president of Louisiana Baptists in 2005 and played a major role in helping Louisiana Baptists recovery efforts from Hurricane Katrina and Rita.
He served as LBC president from 2005-2007. He began his work with the LBC in 2007 as director of pastoral leadership, a position he held until his announced retirement in November 2019. In an interview with the Message, Robertson said, “. I love encouraging pastors, building up churches and getting to preach in different size churches in all areas of the state.”
“His work was conciliatory and had a great unifying effect on our Convention,” said Hebert. “Not only are we going to miss this man as a professional but as a good friend.”
Following his retirement from the building, he served as pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in Trout.
“We will support Linda in every way possible,” said Horn. “First, let us lift Linda up in our prayers and secondly, when the arrangements are made we want to be there as well.”
