R.I.P.: Longtime Troy, Al Radio Voice Jim Roling

Jim Roling

Troy has lost its favorite voice.

The death of WTBF 970 AM / 94.7 FM radio personality Jim Roling on Wednesday has stunned and saddened the extended Troy and Pike County communities in Alabama, reports The Messenger.

Roling, WTBF station manager and co-owner, has been a familiar voice in Troy and Pike County almost continuously since 1980.

“We are going to have to get used to not hearing Jim’s voice and that’s not going to be easy,” said Jimmy Lunsford, a longtime friend and high school classmate. “I’m so used to listening to Jim’s voice on the radio, it will never be the same.

Troy boys Lunsford and Roling graduated high school together in 1961. Lunsford appreciated Roling’s talent as a radio announcer but appreciated his friendship even more.

“Jim had a gift for talking and adlibbing and leading groups in public meetings,” he said. “He was easy to talk with because he was so interesting. He moved to South Carolina for a while but, when he came back to Troy, we picked right back up with our friendship.”

Ralph Black, WTBF’s Morning Show host, and Roling worked together for 20-plus years.

“Jim had a big heart and he had a big heart for Troy,” Black said. “He wanted to keep the radio station local. He would do anything in any shape, form or fashion to promote Troy. He was big fan of Troy University. He loved everything about Troy.”