William Carl Roderick

William Carl Roderick was a natural leader whose winning presence allowed him to take control of various situations with ease. Equipped with a clear and calculating focus, he possessed a tough-minded, positive attitude. He had the ability to make even routine situations seem more interesting and was at ease in the role of problem solver. Bill always sought out the situation where he was needed most and spent the majority of his life helping others. Sociable, observant and pleasant, Bill was an individual who enjoyed life’s challenges. If you were to see him and ask, "How are you doing today?" He would most likely respond, "Mighty fine indeed, and you?"

His parents were Maggie and O. B. Roderick. Bill was raised in Bakersfield, California, Abernathy, Texas, Ventura, California, Oak View, California, and a number of other small towns. He was optimistic in his outlook on life. Armed with a great wit, Bill learned to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic. Bill was raised with 3 siblings. He had an older brother, Richard, a younger sister, Linda, and a younger brother, Curtis.

As a young child, he was outgoing and at times mischievous. Bill was also the kind of person who approached difficulties by thinking outside of the box. He was an obedient child, but he was also all boy. A roof climbing, mud flinging, slingshot shooting, skinny kid who was usually new in school. His father was an oil field worker and they moved often. Those experiences helped him develop the ability to make the best of any situation. He was always willing to defend those who could not defend themselves and fearlessly dealt with any bully who sought him out. He and his brother Richard were very close during those years.

He started working at an early age. During WWII, his mother would take him and his older brother to pick cotton, walnuts, and produce. Times were hard and every able-bodied person worked. The first job he found on his own was as the labor part of a county road crew. As soon as they discovered how young he was, they let him go and he had to find another job. That's when he went to a local gas station in Ventura and interviewed for the evenings and weekend gas station attendant job. He and another young man had applied for the same position. When Duff, the station owner, asked them to complete a task as a test, Bill ran to start the assignment. Duff hired him on the spot. During that time it wasn’t unusual for parents to collect the paychecks of their working children, and his mother did. But Duff liked him so much that he gave him a secret raise so that Bill could keep that portion for himself. He was able to stay at that job even after the station changed hands. This mostly self-taught mechanic enjoyed his work and at one time had the fastest car in the county.

His curious nature was spurred by his ability to maximize his personal learning style through employing a hands-on approach. He was good with facts, had an excellent memory and was able to solve difficult math problems mentally, much to the frustration of some of his math teachers. In 1953 Bill became a member of the U.S. Army Reserves. He graduated from Ventura High School in 1955. Like most he enjoyed some courses more than others, his favorite class in high school was drafting and one of his high school English teachers wrote that she enjoyed his witty sense of humor and often found it difficult to keep a straight face when he was in her class.

When Bill reached the age of 18 in May of 1955, it was understood that he should find another place to live because his family needed more room in their small house. He promptly moved into a hotel for his final weeks of high school and that summer. He also continued working at the gas station until the following September when he departed for the U. S. ARMY and eventually became a member of the Special Forces. Bill could handle himself well in any crisis and was the personification of "The Quiet Professional." He was so humble regarding his military service that he didn't share much about it until his family started reading over his military records and began asking questions. The following is only a small portion of what they discovered, he was a Master Parachutist, Operations & Intel Sgt, Demolitions Sgt & Instructor, Lt. Weapons Leader, was an Advisor to Carabinieri in Genoa, Italy, Platoon Leader Mobile Guerrilla Task Force, and Recon Team Leader. Bill was deployed to Vietnam twice, from 1962 to 1963, and again from 1966 to 1967. He achieved the rank of 1st Sergeant. He received awards including a Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars, 5 Purple Hearts, Air Medal, 2 Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, 4 Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, 2 Viet Nam Service Medals Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, Viet Nam Campaign Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Commendation, Republic of Viet Nam Presidential Citation, Republic of Viet Nam Gallantry Cross, Combat Infantry Badge, Master Parachute Badge (553 parachute jumps), Viet Nam Master Parachutes Badge, French Parachute Badge.

Early in his military service Bill was selected to march in President Eisenhower's inaugural parade and was one of the few Special Forces members to have President Kennedy award him the prestigious Green Beret. During this quiet professional's time in the service of this great nation, he took part in many significant and life-changing experiences. He saw the world and lived a life of adventure that took him from HALO jumping to being extracted from an assignment by submarine. He crawled thru the sewers of Santiago, Chile, and camped in a tent during the dead of winter near the USSR and Czechoslovakian border, where he and his SF brothers shared their warmer tent and provisions with the poorly equipped Russian counterparts, who were sent to watch them. He met and worked with military forces from all over the world. Several of the members of the Australian military invited him to join them on a quick trip home. He said he had a nice time and that they didn't sleep much during those 2 days. To quote a friend of his "Your Dad was the original Jason Bourne." But if you were to ask him what experience he treasured most from his time in the military, it would be meeting the love of his life, Margaret.

On December 7, 1957, Bill exchanged wedding vows with Margaret Postas at the Catholic Chapel on the military base where they were both stationed in the city of Kaiserslautern, Germany. Bill fell in love with her only a few days after their first meeting in August of 1957 at Fort Dix, New Jersey. He proposed on Labor Day and they were married less than 4 months later. They proved to be a good team who worked together to build a life and family during the unpredictable years that he was in the military. Her support and personal strength allowed him to make the most of his time in the military because he knew that she could handle things at home. Their positive view of life and complimentary senses of humor kept their marriage strong. When a friend asked him why he hadn't stayed in the military long enough to retire, he said that he never regretted serving his country, but he spent 15 years wanting to go home to the life he shared with Margaret.

Very much a kid at heart, Bill identified with the inquisitive and creative side of his children’s personalities. He was able to direct his energy and spontaneity towards helping his children acquire added common sense skills. Bill and Margaret were blessed with two daughters, Deborah, and Mikki. They were also blessed with four grandchildren, Mark, Kathleen, Nicholas, and Joseph, and two great-grandsons Beau and Cole.

Bill was a leader who was readily respected by those who worked with him. His strengths included being able to think on his feet and honoring his word. After he separated from the military and transitioned to civilian life, he became a Fireman for the County of Ventura. Not only was he the oldest in his class, he was also the recipient of the Chief's Award which was given to the top graduate of his 1969 VCFD class. He went on to become a civil engineer and the director of joint ventures for the Los Angeles development firm of Goldrich and Kest. The projects he was in charge of came in early and under budget. He eventually started his own consulting firm, with two very close friends.

Friends and acquaintances found Bill easy to talk with, and those close to him liked his relaxed approach to life in general. Bill was uncomplicated and straightforward in his relationships, he accepted people for what they were and how hard they were willing to work. In 1993 he visited Vietnam with one of his SF brothers. During this visit, several of the local men who had worked with the 5th Special Forces Group, at Dak Pek in 1962-1963, found out that Bill visiting, and had a small party for him. Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Halberstam wrote an article for the New York Times that featured Dak Pek and highlighted what Bill did while he was there. In the U. S. ARMY Special Forces, he found a family of peers. He and the men he served with became closer than brothers. He cherished those deep familial bonds and carried the memories of his 14 Special Forces brothers who were lost in Vietnam with him, every day of the rest of his life.

Bill enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Among his favorite pursuits were traveling with his beloved Margaret, spending time with his family, and playing golf, often using the golf clubs that he had made. He was always willing to share his interests with others.

Bill was enthusiastic and confident about athletics and never accepted defeat. In high school, Bill ran track, and played softball for his church, when he wasn't working. He enjoyed recounting the extreme difficulty of the Special Forces physical fitness test, and how overjoyed he and Margaret were when he passed. The words of The Ballad of The Green Beret "One hundred men will test today, but only 3 will win the Green Beret" summed it up perfectly. Over the years his recreational sports included bowling on the Knights of Columbus league, back in the day, and playing golf with friends. He didn't always watch a lot of television but enjoyed watching golf, baseball, and football, when there was a good tournament or game on.

Bill was a problem solver who worked hard to help accomplish group goals. In high school, Bill was a member of the U. S. ARMY reserve. Throughout his later years, Bill served through his church and helped in his local community. Bill was a generous man who prized that same quality in others. Bill was a member of several community groups, including the East Ventura Community Council, and worked with the 1st Memorial Honors Detail providing memorial services for departed former military personnel. He often said that providing comfort to military families during their difficult time was the most important function of the 1st Memorial Honors Detail. Politically, Bill was somewhat of a fiscal conservative. It was his personal philosophy that hard work and honesty were the best tools for success in life.

Bill held close to traditional values and as a result, faith was important to him. He was a member of First Assembly of God for the past 17 years. During that time, he was always willing to help those in need, he felt that our purpose here on earth was to help each other. He never failed to think of others before he thought of himself.

Travel and vacations were experiences that Bill truly enjoyed. He and Margaret traveled all over the world, and never let minor inconveniences keep them from having a good time. Two of his most memorable vacations were when Margaret and he traveled to Israel and Jordan, and their trip through Europe on the Orient Express.

When Bill’s retirement finally came, he was well prepared. He was able to adapt to changes and enjoyed just having fun and being relaxed. In retirement, he spent time with his family and continued to work part-time as a construction consultant. He met with family and/or friends for breakfast or dinner, helped out seniors and others with minor home repairs, and provided emotional support to former military personnel, especially those who were struggling with PTSD. Although he had achieved a great many things, Bill believed that the marriage he shared with Margaret, and the life they made for their family were two of the greatest accomplishments of his life.

Bill passed away on January 14, 2018, and was surrounded by family. He valiantly fought end-stage COPD for the last several years. His optimism and upbeat attitude stayed with him for every day of this fight. He is survived by his daughters Deborah, and Mikki: his grandchildren Mark, Kathleen, Nick, and Joey: great-grandsons Beau and Cole: and his sister Linda Devlin.

His memorial services and a Celebration of Bill's Life will be held on July 7, 2018, 3:30 pm, at Ted Mayr Funeral Home. Bill was laid to rest with his sweetheart Margaret, at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks, Westlake Village, CA.

Bill was a faithful and loving husband to Margaret, a wonderfully supportive father to his daughters, and a friend and mentor to his grandchildren. He never seemed to have a bad day and was always positive and kind. He rarely failed to provide amusing repartee to his friends and acquaintances, offering a seemingly endless supply o​f quips, anecdotes, and stories. He truly enjoyed his life and the experience of living it. Bill had a presence about him that you either loved and laughed with him or respected from afar. He was a caring individual who helped others become the best person they could be and many can attest to this fact. He is greatly missed by those who knew him.​

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Travis Mills Foundation, 89 Walker Street, Hallowell, ME 04347​ https://www.travismills.org/donate/