William 'Bill' Arthur Rogers

IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. - William "Bill" Arthur Rogers, 90, of Watersmeet, passed away peacefully in his sleep June 9, 2016, at Oscar G. Johnson VA facility in Iron Mountain, Mich.

Bill was born May 10, 1926, in Iron River, Mich. He was the youngest son of John "Jack" Rogers and Alma (Munson) Rogers. During his school years, he attended Lane Tech in Chicago and also Watersmeet.

At the age of 17, May 11, 1943, Bill left Stambaugh High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy to join the fight in World War II. He served in the African and Italian Naval Campaigns. On April 11, 1944, while aboard the destroyer escort USS Holder DE401 in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Algiers, his ship was torpedoed by a German aircraft. Bill spent several days in a hospital in Algiers. He returned to the States and taught at the Quartermaster School at Great Lakes Naval Base.

After the war, Bill lived with his sister, Betty, until he graduated from Stambaugh High School in 1946. On July 10, 1948, he married Marilyn (Brooks) Rogers. Bill was lovingly married to Marilyn one month short of an incredible 68 years.

In 1949, Bill and Marilyn moved back to Watersmeet and took over his father's business, Rogers Bar, where they ran a very successful establishment until retirement in 2002, when his son and wife took it over. During this time, Bill worked with the Natzke and Scheu Logging and Sorensen Brothers clearing land for the power lines. Later he worked for the Gogebic County Road Commission, the U.S. Forestry, and then as member of the Operating Engineers Union, for Fox Valley Construction and Bacco Construction as roller operator on the blacktopping crews.

Bill also was very active in youth sports, coaching baseball and basketball for 25 years. As they made their life in Watersmeet, they had four wonderful children, Mike, John, Nancy and Greg.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jack (killed after Normandy invasion); sisters, Marilyn and Betty; half brother, Larry, half sister, Patricia; and beloved son, John.

Surviving are his wife, Marilyn; sons, Michael (Connie) Rogers, of Watersmeet, Nancy (Nick) Obradovich, of Iron Mountain, and Greg (Susan) Rogers, of Watersmeet; daughter-in-law, Carol Rogers; and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bill said he has had a good life and raised wonderful children.

A visitation will be held Tuesday, June 14, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Watersmeet. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the church. Rev. Father Anthony Kalapura will officiate.

Burial will be in Watersmeet Cemetery. The Watersmeet American Legion Post 417 will accord Military Honors at graveside.

After services, a luncheon and celebration of Bill's life will be provided at Rogers Bar, 12 miles west of Watersmeet, north on Cisco Lake Road.

You may light a candle in remembrance of Bill or leave a condolence for his family online at JacobsFuneralHomes.com.

The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain, to honor Bill's legacy of life.