William E. Rohde

William E Rohde (Billy), age 79, of Merritt Island, passed away at Rockledge Regional Medical Center on July 23, 2022, from complications of Covid-19. Billy was born January 4, 1943 in Spencer, Iowa, to William Henry Rohde and Doris Freeman Rohde.

After high school graduation, William proudly served his country in the Army Infantry. He began working at the Cape Canaveral Space Center in the early days of the space program where he would eventually retire from Lockheed Martin.

William enjoyed his boat and fishing but his main love was taking off on his Harley motorcycle. As a boy, William and his Dad enjoyed playing their accordions. He enjoyed meeting weekly to eat lunch and fellowship with his retired Lockheed friends and co-workers.

William and his parents were long-time residents of Merritt Island. He was a loving and caring only child of his parents. To his family who loved him very much, he was “Billy”. Billy is now at peace in his heavenly home after battling against Covid.

He was preceded in death by his Mother and Dad. Billy is survived by several cousins on his Mother’s side of the family who live across the country: lowa (Ann Freeman Wickenkamp), Wyoming (Barbara Hatcher Marquis), Colorado (Julie Freeman Varilek), Ocala, Fl (Carolyn Hatcher Burns), Alabama (Sharon Streit Gunn)

There will be a Graveside Service at Brevard Memorial Park, 320 Spring Street, Cocoa, FL 32927, on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at 11:00 AM, with the Dr. Derek Tolley officiating. Billy's cousin will be at the mausoleum site prior to the service to greet attendees.

A reception to celebrate Billy’s life will be held on Thursday, Aug 4 @ 11am Kaye’s Barbecue in Cocoa, Fl.

The family welcomes memorial contributions in Billy’s honor to Banana River Baptist Church, 6250 N Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island, FL 32953.