ROGERS, Billie (Bill) Edward

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, Arizona, Sunday, August 18, 2013 Billie (Bill) Edward Rogers of Sun City West, Arizona, passed away on Friday, August 9, 2013, in Surprise, Arizona. Bill was born on October 21, 1942, in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He was the son of William and Alta Rogers. Bill was raised in Stigler, Oklahoma, graduating from high school in 1960. He joined the Air Force in 1961 and served four years active, two years reserves. His careers after the Air Force were: computer operations supervisor, truck driver and small business owner. In 1962 Bill met his future wife, Carol Cable, on a blind date. They were married eight months later. In 1965 daughter Sherri Jean was born. After being discharged from the Air Force, they settled in Tulsa, where they lived until 1997 when they retired to Sun City West, Arizona. He has been described by family and friends as being friendly and funny. He never met anyone he couldn’t talk to. There were always stories to be told especially about high school antics and driving a truck cross country. During his 16 years of retirement he greatly enjoyed traveling until health issues slowed him down. The highlight of his travels every year was attending Reunion Days in Stigler. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Alta Rogers. He is survived by his wife Carol, daughter Sherri and son-in-law David Leetham of Flagstaff, Arizona, and granddaughter, Rachel Burkey; sister, Margaret Patterson of Owasso, Oklahoma, and brother Jim of Edmond, Oklahoma, and several nieces and nephews. Bill chose to be cremated and his ashes are interred in the Air Force column of the Pavilion of Honor at the Camino del Sol Cemetery in Sun City West, Arizona. Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of the Valley, 14066 West Waddell Road, Surprise, Arizona 85379. This obituary was prepared by the Advertising Department (928) 556-2279.