William Roberts Obituary

William Joseph (BJ) Roberts
William Joseph (BJ) Roberts, age 44, formerly of Western Springs, IL, died of a hemorrhage in Nai Harn, Phuket, Thailand on April 23, 2023. Born in Chicago in 1979, BJ graduated from St. John of the Cross School, and Lyons Township H.S. He attended Western Colorado University in Gunnison, CO where he perfected his gift of playing the guitar by ear, and used is athletic abilities to become an excellent snowboarder in his free time. He then returned to Chicago where he founded an online healthcare business, attended culinary school, and earned his pilot's license. As BJ would say, he lived life to its fullest.
After selling his healthcare business and traveling around the world with a friend, BJ moved to Thailand in 2008 with his Golden Retriever and best buddy, Cajun, with the goal of opening an American-style exercise gym. He founded and built Nai Harn Gym, one of Phuket's most renowned gyms, eventually taking over several storefronts. At the time of his death, the gym had 13 employees, had more than doubled its original size, and featured world class equipment and a health food cafe. His clients came from all over the world and included many impressive athletes. Ever the visionary entrepreneur focused on helping others, he introduced his Thai friends to internet marketing and helped them establish successful healthcare supplement businesses with both online and brick-and-mortar presences, providing their families with a higher standard of living. He also trained many of his employees in business and marketing, started and sold a hamburger restaurant, and created his own accounting and inventory software.
Always devoted to family, BJ made the long journey back from Thailand regularly to attend numerous important family events. Whether on his big wheels as a child, on rollerblades as a teen, flying airplanes as a young man, on the phone, by email, or in person, BJ was there for his loved ones. He loved not only his own family, but his employees in Thailand whom he called his family. BJ lived by solid core principles of kindness, love, respect, generosity, humility and caring. He was a peacemaker and knew how to bring people together by showing up, taking the high road, telling jokes, and always saying just the right thing.
BJ is survived by his father, William Albert Roberts, mother, Katherine Roberts (nee Paul), and siblings Julie (Justin), Patty (Fritz), Sean (Christine), Kevin, and Brian. He was a loving uncle to Molly, Laura, Josie, JJ, and Jordan. Adored nephew of MaryAnne, Tim (Annette) Jim (Vickie), and Susie. Predeceased by his infant sister, Jennifer Leslie in 1970.
A memorial Mass will be held at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church, 5005 S. Wolf Rd., Western Springs, IL 60558 on June 9, 2023, at 11am.