Bill Rodgers' Obituary
BILL RODGERS, 83, of Longview, TX, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 22, 2023. Bill was born November 15, 1939, in Lufkin, TX, to Lewis and Bonnie Rodgers, who preceded him in death. He graduated from Longview High School in 1958 and earned an associate degree from Kilgore College. Following college, Bill joined the United States Air Force and served 4 years as an aircraft electronics maintenance technician, working primarily on B-52 and B-58 bombers. After completing his military service, Bill lived and worked in Ft. Worth, TX for Bell Helicopter and General Dynamics. In 1971, Bill moved his family to Longview where he worked for LeTourneau as a technical publications writer and manager for over 33 years. Bill was a 54 year member of the Masonic Lodge and became a Master Mason on August 4, 1969. He was a member of the James F. Taylor Lodge, No. 169 in Hallsville, TX and was also a Shriner. He was a member of Woodland Hills Baptist Church in Longview. Bill was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and was well known to all as a good, kind, and devoted man who passionately loved his family and friends.
Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Judy Kinard Rodgers of Longview; son, Tony Rodgers and wife Kathy of Boerne, TX; daughter, Tami Carnes and husband Michael of Hallsville; daughter, Necey Collins of Kilgore; and sister Shirley Griffin and husband, Dr. John Griffin of Longview. In addition, he is survived by 7 grandchildren: Megan Giordano and husband Justin of Jacksonville, FL; Carli Lott and husband Cody of Hallsville; Cody Rodgers of Lubbock, TX; Matthew Rodgers and wife Madi of San Antonio, TX; Chloe Cooper and fiancé, Jared Pirkle of Round Rock; Jacob Collins and Jessica Grace Collins of Hallsville and 3 great grandchildren: Cooper and Campbell Lott and Luke Giordano. Bill is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services for Bill will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, 27 September, 2023, at Rader Funeral Home in Longview. Graveside services will follow at Lakeview Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held at Rader on Tuesday, 26 September, 5-7pm.
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