Albert "A.W." William Rogers Jr.

Albert William Rogers Jr. 89 of Florence, Alabama passed away in his home, on Sunday, March 5, 2022 surrounded by his loved ones. He lived a long life, but he pushed through a hard illness in his last months, for their sake. Albert was born in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1932, amid grinding poverty, he grew up all over the northern part of the city. He graduated from Knoxville High School in 1950, at age 17; he started work at the railroad the next week. Three years later, he married Dorothy Blair (Rogers), with whom he’d stay for the rest of his life. They raised eight children together.

Albert served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and he believed in hard work, but he believed in dignity for workers too. Of the 40 years he spent with Norfolk Southern, he spent 16 years as the chairman of the car foreman’s union. Albert was active in the Freemasons, eventually becoming a 32nd degree Mason. In his limited free time, he loved to watch the Tennessee Vols play.

Albert was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy Rogers and Albert Rogers Sr.; sisters, Nancy Rogers and Carol Rogers Turner and his uncle, Julian Spitzer.

His loss is deeply mourned by his wife of 68 years, Dorothy; children, Cathy McWilliams of Houston, TX, Daryl (Amber) Rogers of Laurens, SC, Mickey (Alice) Rogers of Killen, AL, Penny Cooper of Florence, AL, Cindy Rogers (Freddie) Franklin of Knoxville, TN, Connie (Hal) Lee of Decatur, AL, Terri Cruz, and Nathan Rogers both of Florence, AL; 20 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren; his beloved nephew, Scott (Sharon) Roberts and many more friends and family members.

Family will receive friends Wednesday, March 9th from 6-8pm at Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home. Graveside service will take place Thursday, March 10th at 1pm. Meeting at Lynnhurst Cemetery at 12:45pm.

He will be missed.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.berrylynnhurst.com for the Rogers family.