William Boyd (Bill) Rogers: Raleigh
1933 – 2017
William Boyd (Bill) Rogers of Raleigh completed his journey home on July 31, 2017 to the welcoming words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” He was 83.
Born Aug. 17, 1933 in Tabor City as the third of four sons, Bill graduated from Tabor City High School in 1951, where he was basketball captain, football quarterback, and catcher of the baseball team. For many years he attended Ridgecrest Camp for Boys in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and later served as Camp Counselor.
Bill studied business and played on the tennis team at Wake Forest University (1951-55), also the alma mater of his father and brothers, and the home of his future wife, Margaret Wood Patterson (Peggy). His pursuit of Peggy required care since her father, Grady S. Patterson, Sr., was Registrar of Wake Forest and her mother, Elizabeth Lake Patterson, was the daughter of Wake’s first Physics Professor.
After graduation Bill served a year of active duty in the Army Reserves (part of 10 years of service), then married Peggy and moved to Winston-Salem to attend Wake Forest Law School (1956-59). He practiced law in Tabor City for a few years, then, followed a call into ministry.
In 1966 he entered Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, and served as pastor at Bullock Baptist Church (1967-69).
Bill’s pastorates also included Ridge Road Baptist Church of Raleigh (1969-76), North Wilkesboro First Baptist Church (1976-85), and Blowing Rock First Baptist (1985-91). He then served 10 years as Hospice Chaplain and Trainer in the counties of Ashe, Avery, Alleghany, Watauga, and Wilkes.
Bill’s other chaplain ministry with RAM (Resort Area Ministries) allowed him to swoop fearlessly, and masterfully, down ski slopes enthralled with God’s creation. Practicing Real Estate with Vincent Properties, and teaching Religion and Real Estate at Caldwell Community College provided additional income and enjoyment. Fierce tennis matches, another hallmark of Bill’s career years, occasionally led to state-level championships.
Other highlights of Bill’s life include helping to establish the High Country United Church of Christ in Boone, where he regularly taught Sunday morning classes. The Bill Rogers Library there honors his pursuit of truth.
Bill will be remembered as the embodiment of gentleness, grace, and unselfishness, and his unspoken, yet compelling inspiration to be the same.
Survivors include brother, A. Paul Rogers, Jr.; wife, Margaret Patterson Rogers; children Dorothy Rogers Adcock (spouse, Mark), William Boyd Rogers, Jr. (Susan), Betsy Rogers Russell (Joseph), James Barclay Rogers (Lisa); grandchildren, Jennifer Hofmeister Margolis (Daniel), Elizabeth Marie Adcock, Rachel Adcock Durban (Benjamin), Alexander Mark Adcock, Amanda Michelle Russell, and Jennifer Renee Russell, and expected (8/13/17) great-granddaughter, Eleanor Bell Durban.
Preceding him in death are parents, A. Paul Rogers, Sr. and Dorothy Bell Rogers, and brothers, Lide Harold Rogers and Thomas James Rogers.
A celebration was planned on his birthday, Aug. 17, in Boone, at the High Country United Church of Christ at 4:30 p.m.
Visitation was planned during the hour preceding the service and following the service.
Memorials may be made in his honor to F.A.R.M Café here, the High Country United Church of Christ Memorial Garden at pastor@highcountryucc.org, or RAM’s Rack here.
