February 13, 2004
The ADVOCATE
Serving Anderson, Southern Franklin and Western Linn Counties
Volume 8, No. 13
Transcribed with permission of Vern Brown

Page 5, Column 4:

“Willard W. ‘Willie’ Rodgers
1927-2004
Funeral services for Willard W. ‘Willie’ Rodgers, 76, Ottawa, KS, were Monday, February 9,
2004, at 10:00 a.m. at Dengel and Son Mortuary with Pastor Earl Zimmerman officiating. 
Interment was in Highland Cemetery.  Mr. Rodgers died Thursday, February 5, at Richmond Care
Center, Richmond, KS.
Willard W. Rodgers was born December 9, 1927, at Ottawa, KS, the son of Walter H. and Vinnie
(DeWald) Rodgers.  He was a lifelong resident of Ottawa and graduated from Ottawa High
School with the Class of 1945.  Willie served in the United States Marines, stationed in Virginia,
in 1945 and 1946.
He was a lifelong heavy equipment operator, working for several companies, including Hercules
Sunflower Ammunition Plant in DeSoto, KS.   He was instrumental in the construction of missile
bases in Missouri and Kansas, and the LaCygne Power Plant.  He operated all types of heavy
equipment for 42 years, retiring in January 1989.
Mr. Rodgers was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Ottawa; Local Union #101, Topeka;
Warren Black Post #60, American Legion, Ottawa; Over-The-Road Gang, Ottawa; Veterans
Motor Car Club of America, Kansas City, KS; and Ottawa Antique Car Club.
Willie and Dorothy Lang were married January 23, 1949, at Garnett.
Mr. Rodgers was preceded in death by his parents, Walter H. and Vinnie Rodgers.
Willie is survived by his wife, Dorothy, of the home; his sons, Don Rodgers, Shelton, WA,
Charles ‘Butch’ Rodgers, McLouth, KS, and Keith Rodgers, Eudora, KS; his daughter, Judy
Van Fleet, Woodland Hills, CA; his sister, Gwen Whitebread, Baldwin City, KS: eight
grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
The family received friends on Sunday, February 8, from 5:00-6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Dengel and Son Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.”


Transcribed for 
Anderson County
Kansas
USGENWEB
By:  Lulu B. Nixon