William Rogers James

He was born on June 19, 1930 in Wyandotte, Michigan. He was the youngest child born to William Hobert and Letha Mae (Rogers) James.

Bill graduated from Roosevelt High School, Wyandotte, Michigan in June 1948. He attended the Monroe Community College and the Detroit College of Business.

On July 26, 1952 in Denver, Colorado, he married Betty Ann Winters. At that time he was serving in the U.S. Air Force. While he was stationed in Cheyenne, Wyoming, their first son, Bruce C. James was born at the Francis E. Warren Air Force Base on December 12, 1953. After Bill’s military service time was up, the family of three moved to Riverview, Michigan. It was there that Dennis R. James was born on February 2, 1955, and William A. James, was born on October 11, 1959.

Bill went to work for the Standard Oil Company in 1954 at the River Rouge, Michigan terminal and was there for fifteen years. In March of 1969, he was promoted to supervisor and moved his family to the Coldwater area to oversee the Girard terminal and Jackson, Michigan terminals. Bill worked for the company for 33 years, retiring on June 30, 1985, at the age of 55.

After retirement Bill spent his time golfing, taking pontoon rides, visiting with family and friends, and spending time with his dogs. After his wife Betty retired, they were able to spend many years traveling, and enjoyed their winters in their Florida home.

He was a member of the Riverview United Methodist Church, Moose Lodge, American Legion, Eagles Lodge, Elks Lodge, and AMVETS. He was also a longtime Boy Scout leader when his sons were in the Boy Scouts.

Survivors include his sons, Dennis R. (Cindy) James, and William A. (Jeanine) James, both of Coldwater, Michigan, a daughter-in-law, Kayane James of Big Timber, Montana, eight grandchildren, Julie, Kevin, Brian, Nick, Will, Tristan, Braden and Mary, ten great-grandchildren, Aaron, Delaney, Alex, Brooke, Brennen, Chase, Emily, Gibson, Piper and Ryker, a sister, Patricia Fisher of Harbor Springs, Michigan, and special friends, Ronald Barkley and his children, Matthew and Elizabeth.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Betty James, a son, Bruce C. James, and a sister, Rosemary Baldwin.

A Graveside Service will be held at 1 pm Saturday, June 18, 2022 at Knauss Cemetery, Kinderhook Township, Michigan, with military honors. A funeral dinner will follow at the Das Dutchman Essenhaus, Middlebury, Indiana.

The family would like to extend special thanks to all of the staff at Northern Lakes Nursing Home in Angola and Heart To Heart Hospice for their love and care of Bill over the last two years.

Memorial donations in his memory may be directed in care of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to Compassion International.