William (Bill) Dale Rodgers

October 14, 1952 — August 3, 2023

William (Bill) Dale Rodgers, 70, passed away suddenly on August 3, 2023, in Abilene, Texas.

Bill was born in Tulare, California on October 14, 1952, to Curtis Rodgers and Mary Davis and raised by his loving grandparents, William Ligon and Edith Russell. He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife Patti (never missing their daily sonic run to order her a medium coke with extra ice). Bill was a big family man and loved all his children and grandchildren dearly. Bill was a decorated soldier in the Unites States Army serving from 1971-1974 earning the following medals: National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal in Korea, Good Conduct Medal, and Sharpshooter. Bill was an amazing man; he knew no stranger and he had a way of lighting up the room with all his stories. He loved golfing, fishing, bowling, listening to some of his favorite albums and sharing his love for music with those he loved. He was a huge San Franciso Giants fan (sharing this passion and many fond memories with one of his closest friends, George Beltramo). He was also a huge Dallas Cowboys fan. Bill loved to plan the best family vacations to include trips to Las Vegas (one of the luckiest gamblers you will ever meet), Hawaii (made his wife's dream come true), Laughlin (more gambling, of course), Mexico, Pennsylvania, Lake Tahoe, Disney Land (he couldn't pass these trips up for the grandkids), and many others to include weekend getaways in the great outdoors (all he needed was his family, a tent, his fishing pole, and a campfire to cook breakfast on every morning). He was an all-around fun-loving guy who enjoyed life and he will be remembered for his kindness and his endless love for his family. Bill valued family time and never missed an opportunity to remind his kids to slow down and enjoy what is important in life (a lesson we have struggled with but will do our best to honor in memory of him).

He is survived by his loving wife, Patti Rodgers; his daughters, Kristy and husband Justin Malden, Brenda and husband Jeff Woodyard, Beverly and husband Adam McElroy; his son Robert Daniel (Danny) Rodgers; his grandchildren, Abby McElroy, Sidnee Woodyard, Riley McElroy, Kaleb Malden, Addison Malden, Maci Woodyard; his sisters, Myra (Rusty) Hogue, Beverly (Steve) Caskey; his brother, Marvin Davis; stepbrother, Guy Davis; brothers-in-law, Rob (Helen) and Daniel (Shellie) Cadwallader, and numerous other extended family and friends.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Curtis Rodgers, and Mary (Marvin) Davis; his grandfather, William Ligon; his grandmother, Edith Russell; his granddaughter, Alyssa McElroy; his brother, Brion (Paula) Davis; and some of his closest friends that he missed dearly (George and Ilia Beltramo, Dennis Luehring, and Ron Goebel). We are at peace knowing they are all reunited once again and would love to have a front row seat to hear the laughter from the stories Bill is sharing with them all.

Bill's services will be held at the Fort Lyon National Cemetery in Las Animas, Colorado on Monday, August 14 at 11:30 am officiated by Pastor John Dell. Reception to follow at the Rocky Ford First Christian Church.