Born in Sweetwater, Texas, Roberts received a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Texas School of Law in 1933.
He was a United States Army Staff Sergeant in the Intelligence Corps during World War II, from 1942 to 1946.
[1] Roberts was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson on June 28, 1966, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas vacated by Judge Homer Thornberry.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 22, 1966, and received his commission the same day.
Roberts served in that capacity until his death on February 27, 1988, in Austin.