William Frank Rodgers (Willie) came into this world on July 14, 1942 and departed this world on Dec. 13, 2021 surrounded by his loving family.
In the 79 years he spent on this earth, he created a legacy that could never be measured by mere words. A legacy of love. He loved ferociously and was loved ferociously without measure. Love so large words can’t express it, you feel it. He embraced every moment and every person with such genuine interest, warmth and compassion. Any person spending any amount of time in his presence couldn’t help but be drawn in by his quirky humor and pure, simple goodness. He created a life full in the foundation of his faith and the joy of his family and friends who became his family.
Family was truly his pride and joy. He adored his wife, Jean and was so proud of their enduring marriage of 61 years. As his family grew, his unconditional love grew to match it. He had a quiet, steadfast strength we all relied on. A gentle giant of a man always in the background letting us shine. He loved road tripping in their camper, new adventures, keeping up with his horse races, red trucks and doing anything we were involved in. Everything was fun if we were doing it together and he was just excited to be doing it. He cracked himself up with his corny jokes and in turn cracked us up. He was a unique, classic, classy kind of a guy and spent his life helping us do life.
As his final days approached on this earth his concern for his family, complete joy of being surrounded by his beloved family and his truest “Daddy” personality was unmistakable. While we are going to dearly miss his warmth, humor, steadfast love and presence, we will find joy knowing that he is now whole in the arms of his perfect Savior rejoicing with his loved ones who got there before him. His legacy of immeasurable love will sustain us until the day we all join him in celebration on “The Far Side Banks of Jordan” and we know he will be waiting because he had Jesus in his heart. Until then we will strive to continue his legacy and rely on the wisdom he imparted all throughout our lives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leon Pershing and Billy Ann (Sparger) Rodgers; brother, Jackie Rodgers and a granddaughter, Amanda Money.
He is survived by his loving family including his wife Jean of the home; daughters, Tonya Finley and husband Stephen of Whitesboro, Texas, Rhonda Pilkilton and husband Jeff of Calera, Okla.; grandson, Eric Money and wife Emily of Oklahoma City, Okla.; granddaughter, Shelby Finley and partner Royce Chandler of Antlers, Okla.; sister, Christie Pena and husband Efren of New Mexico; step-granddaughters, Brittany Wigington and husband Blake of Durant, Okla., Chelsey Pilkilton of Blue, Okla.; great-granddaughters, Francie Money, Elle Money both of Oklahoma City, Okla.; step-great grandchildren: Gabe Smith, Maggie Smith both of Oklahoma City, Okla., Greyson Wigington, Kayson Wigington both of Durant, Okla.; nieces, Toni Wipperman of McKinney, Texas, Carol McDaniel of Durant, Okla.; nephews, John Shippman and wife Susan of Moore, Okla., Michael Pena and wife Chris of Ruidoso, N.M. as well as other great nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Dec. 17, 2021 at the Monterey Chapel, 224 S. 9th Durant, Oklahoma with Sister Karen Slater officiating. A graveside service will follow at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Calera, Oklahoma. Stephen Finley, Jeff Pilkilton, Royce Chandler, Trevor Wipperman, Johnny Jones and Joe Beshires will serve as pallbearers.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Gordon Funeral Home, 221 N. Third Ave. in Durant, Okla.
Phone: (580) 916-9090
www.gordonfh.com