James (Bill) W. Rogers, Sr. died suddenly in his home due to a recent illness on February 10,2020 just shy of his 79th birthday. He was born on February 20, 1941 in Pensacola, FL and son to the late Cleo and John Rogers.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Nancy L. Rogers, his son James W. Rogers, Jr. (Millee), his twin daughters Andrea and Angela Rogers along with a grandson Anthony Young. His is also survived by his brother-in-law, Charles E. Chavis (Margaret) and many nieces, nephews, other family and friends that will miss him dearly. He is preceded in death by his sister, Patricia Chavis.
He attended Palm Beach High School, graduated from Pensacola Junior College and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1957. He was accepted into the preflight academy in 1961 in which he became a helicopter pilot for the Corps until 1966 with an honorable discharge. He was then employed with Eastern Airlines as a commercial airline pilot in which he received great recognition during his 30 years of service and retired as a Captain.
James (Bill) was a devoted father and an avid golfer back in the day. He was a natural leader with great social skills that could make you laugh for days. He was a problem solver who often took on difficult and unwanted tasks. He could seem to be able to do anything he set his mind to with an intelligence that drove him to figure anything out. Most wouldn’t know that he was also creative while dabbling in painting, wood carving and a love for rocks (that usually drove us crazy as he constantly had a handful to show you in his pocket). He spent his free time as a longtime member of the Amara Shrine Temple serving in several different unit roles including as Potentate in 1989. He also served as a Director of the Royal Order of Jesters (ROJ) in 1980 and was a member of the Palm Wood Masonic Lodge.
We will miss him tremendously and remember him for the man that he once was and the memories that he gave us. Fly high and watch over us all!
At our request there will not be a service held.
A celebration of life will be held at Phi Delta Kappa Florida Nu, 5060 South Haverhill Road Greenacres, Florida 33463 on March 29th, 2020 from 2:00-6:00 pm.
In leau of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital:
https://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/shc/ways-to-give1
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18