William M. Rogers

Memorial services for William Michael Rogers, 88, of Willoughby, will be held at 1:30 PM on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at Old South Church, 9802 Chillicothe Road, Kirtland. The Rev. Ian R. Lynch will officiate at the service;

Mr. Rogers passed away suddenly on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at Symphony of Mentor.

Born November 30, 1929 in East Liverpool, he has lived in Lake County for 62 years, most of those years spent in the family house on Gardenside Drive in Waite Hill that he built with the help of his family.

In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, outdoor activities and walking the family beagle. After selling his company at age 79, Bill devoted much love and time to landscaping the property on Gardenside Drive, where he specialized in the planting of rhododendrons, and at their home in Florida. Whether working or retired, he was always happy to help his children with construction projects on their own houses.

Having graduated with a degree in civil engineering from the former Fenn College (now Cleveland State University) in 1953, Bill spent most of his career in the roofing industry, starting with the Bodwell-Lemon Company of Cleveland and ending as the owner of Advanced Roofing Systems in Bedford.

Survivors are his wife of 68 years, JoAnn C. (Thomas) Rogers; daughter, Adele Rogers Recklies; sons, William Rogers, Jr. and Thomas Rogers; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Violet Rogers; grandson, Matthew Rogers and sister, Clara Kotnik.

The family is grateful to his friend, Michael Burrow and the staff members of Hospice of the Western Reserve and Symphony of Mentor who helped to make his later years more comfortable.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to Hospice of the Western Reserve, Inc., 17876 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44110-2602.

Arrangements entrusted to Davis-Babcock Funeral Home, Willoughby.