William Joseph Rodgers

William Joseph “Billy Joe” Rodgers, age 93, died at his home on January 18, 2024, surrounded by his sons and caregivers that loved him very much. He was born December 19, 1930, in Hamburg, AR to Alonzo Hudson and Bertha Lee Rodgers. He graduated from Hamburg High School in 1949 and after graduation left to attend Arkansas A&M College in Monticello. He had joined the Arkansas National Guard and later joined the Air Force. He had intended to go to flight school and become a pilot; during his physical, however, they discovered that he was color blind and could not fly. He spent almost three years in Okinawa and after his discharge, he returned home and enrolled at the University of Arkansas, getting a degree in Business Management. After graduation, he began working for IBM as a marketing manager for IBM’s business machines. He met Kay Lanette Lowis, a pharmacist, in 1958 and they were married October 1, 1960. Bill’s work with IBM took them to Bellevue, Washington, and later to Stamford, Connecticut, where Bill and Kay would ultimately settle. Bill was a proud father of three boys: William Lance was born in 1962, Robert Bradford was born in 1964 and John Jeffrey was born in 1967. Bill was a doting dad and coached all three boys in their baseball careers as they grew up. The boys recall fond memories of their baseball days with their dad, and attending NY Jets football games during those cold, snowy New York winters. Bill was also a prolific golfer who recorded five holes-in-one during his golfing days and passed his love of golf on to his boys. Bill and Kay remained in Stamford until moving to Edmond, Oklahoma, in 1985 to be closer to family. In retirement, Bill and Kay enjoyed traveling with their Connecticut friends and fishing trips to Arkansas and to visit family. Bill was a devout Christian and a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church of Edmond and he loved music and sang in the choir for many years. He always looked forward to performing in their annual Christmas musical, One Incredible Moment. Bill and Kay enjoyed 52 years of marriage before her passing in 2013. He was also preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers Tommy Rodgers in 1963; Roy Rodgers in 2016 and Jim “Jimbo” Rodgers in 2019; sister-in-law Rita Rodgers in 2018; and brother-in-law Royce Christmas in 2014. He is survived by his son Lance and his wife Ellie of Falls Church, VA; son Brad Rodgers and his wife Lisa of Edmond; and son Jeff Rodgers of Oklahoma City. He is also survived by his loving brothers and sister: Don and Lynn Rodgers of Wilmot, AR; Charles “Shot” Rodgers of Little Rock, AR; and Betty Christmas of Hamburg, AR. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Rob Lowis of Malibu, CA. He is also survived by his beloved granddaughter, Taylor Kay Rodgers, of Edmond and numerous special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In his final years, Billy Joe was fortunate to have the absolute best care, and those caregivers loved him like he was their own and became part of the Rodgers family: Tanaz Derakhshan, Carmen Felix, Martha Ndipinchot and Takang Ndipinchot. Memorial services will be held at the Memorial Park Chapel at 13313 N. Kelley Ave in OKC on January 26, 2024, at 2 pm with an inurnment following the memorial service.