Obituary of William Thomas Rogers

William (Bill) Thomas Rogers, 78, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in his home on Thursday June 29, 2023 at the age of 78. He was born in Des Moines, Iowa to Alice and Edward Rogers on June 14, 1945. He graduated from Saydell High School in Des Moines, Iowa in 1963. Bill served honorably in the U.S. Navy on the aircraft carrier USS Hornet in the Asian Pacific during the early years of the Vietnam War assuring planes were safe for their pilots. A strong supporter of veterans everywhere, he never left home without his U.S. Navy Veteran ball cap. Between his military service and 1983, Bill worked as a union electrician through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 347 in Des Moines, Iowa. Bill proudly retired a master electrician from the microchip manufacturer Vishay (previously Siliconix) in San Jose, California in 2010, after which he moved promptly to Newton, Iowa to be close to his family. This year, Bill earned recognition for 55 years of union membership in IBEW Local 347, a ceremony he attended with his grandson Zacheri, also a union electrician. Bill had a kind heart, a gentle soul, a giving nature, and a strong sense of fairness. He was a continuous learner, extremely intelligent, and loved to talk with people. He was a true Iowan in his respectful, courteous, and polite nature. He was very well-remembered by those who met him.  

   In life, Bill was known as a meticulous and hard-working man with a great sense of humor (and the best eye-rolling “dad jokes” around). When getting down to work, he would put a stick of gum in his mouth, turn his Navy ballcap around, and work methodically until the job was done, teaching anyone who was smart enough to learn and listen along the way. His kind and positive energy and calm approach when teaching his coworkers, friends, and especially children and grandchildren most certainly inspired two of his children, one who is a professional dance instructor and one a professor of engineering. Bill always put his family first; he would sacrifice anything to ensure they were well provided for and had the best love and care. He was everything a dad is supposed to be. Bill would only travel by car, where he could stretch his legs and enjoy a cigarette. But he drove that car - over and over - from east to west coast and in between, with the sole goal of spending countless hours with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren -- his true passion in life. He was always met with joy, love, and excitement, a testament to the great love he enjoyed from all. He was greatly cherished and will be greatly missed.

   Bill is survived by his five children (and their partners): Mary Jo Goode, Reda Beebe (Alan), Shanon Farsakh (Nael), Shane Rogers (Carmen), and Ava Wiggins (Matthew), three siblings James (Jim) Rogers, Richard Rogers (Linda), and Mary Hayes (Robert), 14 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his brother William Thomas Rogers, mother Alice G. Rogers, and Father Edward E. Rogers.

   A funeral service will be held for Bill at the Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton, Iowa at 3 pm on Thursday, July 6. Visitation will begin at 2 pm. Memorial may be left to the family, made out to Shane Rogers.