William Holst Rodgers

February 19, 1932 - July 30, 2016

We lost our beloved dad on July 30, 2016. He passed away peacefully at home.

Dad was born in Los Angeles, CA in the midst of the depression to Anne Holst Rodgers, also a Los Angeles native. His father was Charles Lewis Rodgers of Dallas, Texas. Dad lived on the west side of Los Angeles, attending Notre Dame Academy and later Hamilton, "Hammy" High. He spoke of surfing in Malibu, taking the trolley downtown, farming avocados in Malibu and riding his bike to UCLA. His childhood seemed reminiscent of a Little Rascals episode. His mom would take him onto the movie set where she had bit parts and they even asked if he would like to audition because of his unusually long hair. His mom adamantly said, "No!" Dad served in the US Navy during the Korean War and returned home to work at Douglas Aircraft. He next worked for the Andrews Sisters at their market in Palms. This is where he met our mother, Millie Rodgers. He said, "If I win at the races tonight I'll take you out this weekend." We never knew if he won at the races but he did win our mother's heart. We lived that first year in Culver City and then moved to West Garden Grove where we lived for nearly 25 years. These years were great memories for all of us, and where dad made dear, life-long friends. Never one to be idle, he worked for UPS, had his own gardening and landscape business and a restaurant. He was both versatile and the hardest working fellow you'd ever meet.

In his twenties, Dad saved an entire neighborhood one afternoon when he saw a gas truck lose its breaks. The driver was screaming and dad quickly came to the rescue and shoved a boulder under the wheels to stop it from crashing down a ravine and into a neighborhood where it would have burst into flames.

He loved gardening, dancing, his family, his dogs and great food. He was always the life of the party. Never a stranger to anyone, he made friends daily. He loved gardening so much that he would shore up a neighbor's lawn or trim their trees if he saw fit. He loved a good prank and even when he had advanced Alzheimer's he would look at one of his caregivers and say, "I made ya laugh didn't I?"

While caring for him in Murrieta, strangers would stop by outside and share stories of his kindness, humor and generosity. When his granddaughter was born he made a giant snowman out of tumbleweeds and cotton balls. She brought him the greatest joy.

He joins his wife Millie who passed from this earth in July of 2010. He leaves behind his daughter, Patina Rodgers; his son, Steve Kennedy; granddaughter, Kyra Kennedy and daughter-in-law Christiane Dettinger. Also, dozens of beloved nieces and nephews and sister-in-law Shirley Meunitz who will carry the torch!

Godspeed dear dad. Until we meet again among the stardust and light.