Ouachita County Louisiana Archives Obituaries.....ROGERS, BILL November 2, 2014
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Gina Brown rootsgirl36@gmail.com November 9, 2014, 4:44 am

News Star World - November 04, 2014
BILL ROGERS

Funeral services for Bill Rogers will be held at Trinity United Methodist 
Church on Wednesday, November 5, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. with visitation at the 
church at 12:30 p.m. prior to the service. The Reverend Brian Mercer, 
together with Reverend Gary Willis and Reverend Leslie Stephens will 
officiate at the services under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home.

Bill was born December 21, 1928, in Smackover, Arkansas, and he died at his 
home in Ruston, Louisiana, on November 2, 2014. His parents were Homer T. 
Rogers and Gladys Lawson Rogers, who predeceased him.

He grew up in Smackover, Arkansas, and graduated from Smackover High School 
in 1946. He then attended Louisiana Polytechnic Institute (now Louisiana 
Tech University) for a year before transferring to the University of 
Arkansas in Fayetteville. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with 
a Bachelor of Science degree in geology in 1951.

Bill married Kathleen (Kat) Wynn on December 21, 1950, and they were married 
for 50 years until her death on September 7, 2001. He was a devoted husband 
who always referred to Kat as "Puddin." After her death, he would visit her 
graveside daily, especially at the end of the day.

After working in the oil and gas industry for two years, Bill moved to 
Ruston with his family in 1953, where he went to work for his uncle, R.W. 
Lawson, who owned Lawson Furniture Company. When his uncle sold the 
business, Bill went to work for Jack and Dot Ritchie who owned Ritchie's 
Furniture at 111 North Trenton Street. Bill and Jack were kindred spirits 
and Jack and Dot quickly became more like family than employers. In 1968, 
Hollis Graham purchased the furniture store from the Ritchies and Bill 
continued to manage the store until he purchased it from the Grahams in 
1970, when it became Rogers' Furniture & Gifts. Bill worked at 111 North 
Trenton from 1958 until his death, and was a beloved figure in downtown 
Ruston.

Bill's passions in life were his family, Trinity United Methodist Church, 
his friends, and the Ruston community. Bill was a devoted father, 
grandfather, and great-grandfather, and he treasured opportunities for the 
family to be together. Nothing pleased him more than having his family 
filling the pew at Trinity on a Sunday morning. He joined Trinity in 1953 
and was an active and respected member of the church, where he was 
instrumental in many capacities, especially the move from the downtown 
location to Trinity's current location on Woodward Avenue. Bill was also a 
longtime member of the Trinity Choir and an avid supporter of the Music 
Ministry.

Bill was known throughout the community for his warm, outgoing personality 
and generosity, and was blessed with countless friends. Newcomers were 
sometimes taken aback by his rough and blunt demeanor but would quickly 
learn of his heart of gold and compassion for everyone. In recent months, 
Bill found great joy and purpose visiting with and connecting with people in 
local nursing homes and homebound friends.

Bill is survived by his brother, Dr. Henry Rogers and wife Georgia of Little 
Rock, Arkansas; his son, Tommy Rogers and wife Beth of Ruston; and his 
daughter, Becky Crawford and husband Danny of Ruston. He is also survived by 
his brother-in-law, William Wynn, of Ruston, and sister- in-law, Helen 
Wilmot, of Sea Island, Georgia, formerly of Ruston.

He was blessed with seven grandchildren: Jennifer Rogers, Wynn Rogers and 
wife Karen, William Rogers and wife Sara, Thomas Gibson and wife Amanda, 
Katie Crawford Smith and husband Jeremy, Bert Crawford, and Zack Crawford 
and wife Jessica. He was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren: 
Thomas, Charlie, Maggie and Georgia Rogers, Merritt and Ella Gibson, and 
Bellamy Smith.

He was also blessed with wonderful neighbors Linda and Dixie Griffin, their 
son Jeremy, and his wife, Karen, who are a cherished part of the Rogers 
family.

Pallbearers will include Wynn Rogers, William Rogers, Thomas Gibson, Zack 
Crawford, Jeremy Smith, Brandon Rogers, Jonathan Rogers, and Jeremy Griffin.

The family wish to express their special thanks to Dr. George Smith and 
Bill's caretakers and friends Al Kimble,Toni Lathon, Terry Randall, and 
Fernard Broadnax for their devotion and friendship.

Following his wishes, the family requests that any memorials be made to the 
Television Ministry of Trinity United Methodist Church or the charity of 
your choice .

Online condolences may be sent to the family at 
www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com

Kilpatrick Funeral Home

Ruston, LA

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