William G. (Bill) Rodgers, age 87, was born in Oden AK. September 8, 1925, and departed this earthly life for heaven on May 2, 2013, at his home in Yuma AZ. Bill was raised in Lubbock, TX and in November 1943 enlisted in the Army serving as liaison agent with 605 Field Artillery, 10th Mountain Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service in combat through the campaign in the Apennine Mountains and the Po Valley in Italy. Bill was discharged in 1946, returning to Lubbock to earn a degree from Texas Tech University and become county agricultural agent for three counties in West Texas.
While visiting in Yuma in 1955 he purchased land on County 15th St. and in 1961 moved the family to Yuma. He became Manager of Yuma Chemical, then Jacoby and Son which later became Western Farm Service. Times were tough so Bill worked days and farmed 100 acres of citrus at night.
He retired from Western Farm Service in 1989 after more than 30 years of service. Bill was a founding member and chairman of the board of Yuma Mesa Citrus Club. He also served on the board of Directors of Arizona Groves Citrus Packers and Associated Citrus Packers. Bill was active in conservation, serving on the Board of Directors of Natural Resource Conservation District Yuma Co Citrus Pest Control District and Yuma County Pest Abatement District since 1976. In 2006 Bill was honored by the Yuma Community Foundation with the Conservation Farmer of the Year award.
Bill and his first wife, Doris, (S) were founding members of Central Church of Christ, where he served as an elder. He and present wife, Doris (M) are active members of First Christian Church. Bill is survived by his wife Doris M., four children, Tom of Sherman Oaks, CA, Sue Ann Laughlin of N.C Lynn Boardman (Larry) of Phoenix and Kevin Moore (Michelle) of MI, and six grandsons. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Missions at First Christian Church or Hospice of Yuma. Visitation will be 6 to 8 pm Monday, May 6 at Johnson Mortuary with Memorial Service Tuesday, May 7 at 2:00 pm at Johnson Mortuary.
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