William (Bill) Edward Robertson was born in 1949 to Velma Robertson (née Wells, later Thomas) and Carl Robertson in Monroe County, Indiana. After graduating high school in 1968, he enlisted in the Navy, following in his father’s footsteps. He served for four years during the Vietnam War. He was part of the Brown Water Navy and spent a year in the Mekong Delta as a gunner’s mate on a command and control boat (Charlie boat). Later he worked on the commissioning of the destroyer escort USS Bowen, which took him to the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.
After leaving the Navy, Bill moved back to Indiana and worked as a carpenter and house builder. He later used those skills to build two of his own homes, including the one he and Gayle lived in for nearly 40 years.
In 1976, Bill was selected to attend the Indiana State Police Academy. He was appointed as a trooper in June of 1976. In his distinguished 34-year career, he trained countless new recruits with his signature gruff style, served for 10 years on the Emergency Response Team, and worked in the Motor Carrier Division for 15 years. He retired in 2010 as a Master Trooper. Bill also had an incredible shooting record during his time with the state police. He earned his Possible Pin in 1983 by shooting a perfect score with his service revolver, earned the Governor’s High 20 pin for 10 years, and helped the Indiana State Police Pistol Team win a National Police Team Championship at the N.R.A. National Rifle & Pistol Championships in Camp Perry in 1991. He was the firearms instructor for District 42 (Versailles) and the Indiana State Police Academy, and was also a guest instructor at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy training local police and sheriff’s departments. Bill has long been active in the Laughery Valley Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police and served as president until quite recently.
Bill was an avid fisherman and enjoyed many fishing trips with buddies and many happy hours on his boat. He also enjoyed building and flying RC planes, travelling, taking care of his property, and keeping up with grandkids’ activities.
Bill and Gayle were married for 45 years and counting and had a marriage built on deep love, trust, and mutual respect. Bill was a dedicated father to his four girls and was always just a phone call away if they needed help with anything, from quick questions to kitchen renovations.
We remember Bill for his many accomplishments, but also for his humor, his orneriness, his somewhat ironic anti-authority tendencies, his dedication to a practical joke, and his strong moral code.
Bill is survived by his wife Gayle; his daughters Andrea Acus and her husband Chris, Wendi Karle and her husband Jon, Kathryn Robertson Hammer and her husband Curt, and Amanda Robertson and her husband Devon Story; his sister Margaret Neal and her partner Neil O’Donnell; grandchildren Allyson, Kennady, Isabella, Gabrielle, William, Ethan, Helen, and Elliott; great-grandchildren Ava and Carson, and many additional extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his father Carl, his mother Velma, and his sister Barbara (Jeannie) Johnson.
Bill passed away on October 11, 2026 after living with pancreatic cancer for a year and a half. His death came just a few days after the whole family gathered for his 77th birthday, and after a peaceful summer spent relaxing, having breakfast with buddies, and enjoying time with family.
Family and friends may gather in remembering Bill from 9:00-11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Laws-Carr-Moore Funeral Home in Milan. Services will follow at 11:00 a.m., with military rites conducted at the funeral home. Burial will be held at 3:00 p.m. at Knightridge Cemetery in Bloomington: 3775 S Knightridge Rd, Bloomington, IN 47401. Memorials may be given in honor of Bill to Wounded Warrior Project, Fisher House Foundation, or Loving Hearts Hospice & Palliative Care.
Laws-Carr-Moore Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements: 707 S. Main St., PO Box 243, Milan, IN 47031; (812) 654-2141. Please visit our website at www.lawscarrmoore.com to share your condolences and memories of Bill.