Our Staff - Roberts of Ocala Funerals and Cremations

Our Team

Bill Johnson

Licensed Funeral Director/Chaplain Ocala Police Department

Bill Johnson

I grew up and lived most of my life in Gainesville. I attended Gainesville High School, Santa Fe College, Liberty University and the University of Florida. I went into my family’s business and eventually owned and operated flower shops for 30 years. After leaving the flower business, I started working part-time with a funeral home in Gainesville. Working with families in their time of need became a passion and a true calling. I went back to school to become licensed as a funeral director. After graduating I completed my internship with Forest Meadows Funeral Homes and Cemeteries in Gainesville eventually becoming the manager.

In 2015, I left Forest Meadows for a position with StoneMor Partners as General Manager of Arlington Park Funeral Home and Cemetery in Jacksonville and was eventually transferred to Ocala to manage the Roberts Funeral Homes. In October of 2017, StoneMor Partners moved out of the original Roberts Families Downtown location and that is how we ended up partnering to re-open the original Roberts Funeral Home as a family owned and operated funeral home.

I have two kids and two granddaughters that I love spending time with. Being Pop Pop is the best job I have ever had. One of my proudest accomplishments was being named Lead Chaplain with the Ocala Police Department.

Email: [email protected]

Josh Leverette

Licensed Funeral Director

Josh Leverette

I was born and raised in the small town of Trenton, Florida. I attended Florida Gateway College, The University of Florida (GO GATORS), and St Petersburg College. I graduated from St Pete College in December of 2016 with my Degree in Mortuary Science. After school, I immediately began my one-year internship with the State of Florida which is the last step to obtaining a Funeral Director/Embalmer License.

I have been working in the funeral business since June of 2015 at all different capacities. Helping families arrange the most memorable celebration of life is one thing I pride myself on. I like to go above and beyond, and put the special touches on a service that the families will remember. During their time of loss, I like to be the rock that families can rely on, to help get them through the difficult time.

When I am not at the funeral home, I tend to be at my family’s restaurant, The Ivy House, where I have waited tables the last 7 years. I also love to spend time on the water fishing and skiing, or spending time in the mountains.

Email: [email protected]

Gracie

Grief Therapy Dog

Gracie

I was born in March of 2018 and was adopted by my family at Roberts of Ocala Downtown Chapel in July of 2018. I love greeting everyone that visits me with kisses and hugs, especially to those who need it the most. When those who are sad come to our office, I will be right there to lend you my heart and help you through your tough times. I look forward to traveling and meeting everyone in Ocala and the surrounding areas. When I am not working I love playing in the dog park, and making friends.

Telephone: 1-352-537-8111

Beth Childers

Licensed Funeral Director Intern

Beth Childers

I was born and raised in Hazard, a small town in Eastern Kentucky. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in education from Alice Lloyd College, where I met my husband John, and began my 17 year career as an educator. We have been married for 31 years and have three beautiful children, Zachary, Micah, and Jadyn. We moved to Florida in 2007 after serving as Christian Youth and Education Directors for the Church of God in Colorado and New Mexico. In 2010 we were excited to continue our journey by serving as Senior Pastor and Women’s Ministry Director to Living Waters Church in Ocala, Fl. I am passionate about my faith, my family, and helping others. I am thrilled to be able to incorporate all three facets by working as a licensed apprentice at Roberts Funerals of Ocala Downtown Chapel. I am currently pursuing my degree in funeral services. It is an honor working with the wonderful staff at Roberts where serving the needs of our community, during the devastating time of losing a family member, is met with care and compassion.

Email: [email protected]

Kyle Johnson

Cremationist/Apprentice

Kyle Johnson

I was born and raised in Gainesville, Florida where I have lived most of my life. After graduating High School I immediately entered the workforce for a small computer repair shop. After two years of working in IT I was ready to move on to something new. I took an entry level job as a baggage handler at the Gainesville Regional Airport in 2010. Over the course of the 5 years I worked for the Airline Industry, I worked my way up to General Manager in Fayeteville, NC.

In 2016 I made the decision to move back to Gainesville where I eventually ended up working for a Medical Supply chain. In late 2017 when my Dad told me he was working with several partners on opening up a Funeral Home of their own, I immediately knew I wanted to be a part of what he was doing. I had been working part time as an Associate for Forest Meadows in Gainesville and quickly realized how much I respected the industry.

I’m currently attending school and will be completing my Funeral Services degree at St. Petersburg College in Spring of 2020. I’m more and more excited every day to be a part of Roberts of Ocala and feel truly blessed to be a part of this family.

Email: [email protected]

Terry Roberts

Licensed Funeral Director

Terry Roberts

I was born to Edgar and Doris Roberts and have enjoyed life in the Ocala area for the past seventy -six years. My life has been and is one of service to those in the community. Being born into a ‘funeral home family’ I soon learned plans change, lives change and service to others is paramount when dealing with those difficult situations.

Upon graduation from high school, I attended CFCC and later went on to study at the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in Dallas, Texas. While in the Army, I trained as a military policeman and had the distinct honor of serving on President Eisenhower’s Honor Guard .

I recall the days when the funeral hearse also served as the local ambulance and we responded to emergencies, as well as funeral calls. Those calls, often in the middle of the night, made a lasting impression on my life ,and today I still have such high regard for the first responders who deal with life and death moments on a daily basis.

Community, faith and family are the foundation blocks in my life and I have served as past president of the Ocala Shrine Club, the Fort King Lions Club, the Dunnellon Kiwanis Club, coached the Dunnellon Little League and was Chairman of the Southeastern Youth Fair for two years. Youth and agriculture have always been two areas of special interest to me. Throughout the years I have shown horses competitively, dabbled in breeding and racing horses, competed and drove horses in Combined Driving and still enjoy the ones he that serve as ‘pasture art’ around my home in Dunnellon.

My wife Sherry and I are blessed with six children, thirteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren. I am an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoy nothing better than a day on the water or sleeping in the deer stand while listening to the sound of rain on the tin roof!

Email: [email protected]

Nick Elder

Funeral Attendant / Apprentice

Nick Elder

I am 29 years old and was born in Ft. Lauderdale Florida but raised in Dunnellon Florida. I began working in the funeral business about 6 years ago. First with a funeral home Owned by SCI in Beverly Hills Florida and then with Roberts Funeral Homes owned by Stonemor. I decided to join the Family owned Roberts Of Ocala Downtown Chapel in February of 2018. I have always had a passion for helping people in their time of need. When I’m not working at the funeral home I like to be on the beach, spending time with family and friends and traveling.

Karel Bellamy-Doss

Funeral Attendant

Gerry Pizzolorusso

Funeral Attendant / Maintenance

Richard Goolsby

Family Care Advisor

Richard Goolsby

Hello, I’m Richard G. Goolsby. I am a Native Ocala resident with my heritage dating back to the 1800’s. I grew up on a farm just North of Ocala and came to enjoy the rewards of hard work at an early age. The memories of the “Old Days” will remain with me always.

I met my future wife Sherrie in the first grade and by the grace of God we have been married nearly 50 years – what a beautiful lady ! Our children and grand daughter are our inspiration and we look forward to being with them at every opportunity.

My background has been in real estate and commercial development. I retired in 2008 and in a by chance opportunity ended up working in the Pre-Need Funeral Industry – best job I’ve ever had.

Assisting families in making their end of life choices has been an honor for me. I’m pleased to share my life experiences with everyone in hopes that they can use them in making their decisions.

Email: [email protected]