Robert William (Bill/Buck) Rogers II of Gwynn’s Island and Blackstone, passed away on Feb. 24, 2018 from renal failure.

He is survived by his wife, Deborah, and her daughter, Melissa of Blackstone; his mother, Margaret Carter Wagner of Crewe; a sister and brother, Nancy and Rob of Florida; his canine and feline companions, Dog and Buster; two exes and a host of broken hearts.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Lewis Rogers, formerly of Richmond, and four of the most wonderful and loving grandparents a man could ever ask for: Col. Robert W and Mazie Rogers of Gwynn’s Island and Richmond, and Walter George and Russell Carter of Crewe. Mr. Rogers looked forward to seeing his faithful canine companions on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge, among them Sting, Shelley, Killer, Yella Dog, and Maggy.

Mr. Rogers was born in Richmond on Aug. 5, 1949, was raised in Northern Virginia, and graduated from high school in Vienna. After attending a number of colleges and universities, he graduated from Rappahannock Community College in 1979.  He spent a number of years in the construction business.  After finishing college, Mr. Rogers made his career at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock (now Huntington Ingalls). While there, he held various positions in Nuclear Design, Testing, Operations, and Materials.

He spent two tours in Vietnam with the 1st Aviation Brigade as a helicopter crew chief and with the Air Cavalry as a forward radio operator. Mr. Rogers also spent a number of years with the Virginia National Guard at Byrd Airfield. He was a lifetime member of the VFW.

Mr. Rogers wanted his friends, family and colleagues to know that he had a great life, not to mourn his passing but to celebrate his friendship, and to his enemies, they know where it goes. Mr. Rogers had the great fortune to meet lots of folks who helped him along the way, some whose names are lost in time. Thank you for showing up!

There will be no viewing as Mr. Rogers donated his body to science. Memorial services will be held at Pryor Memorial Presbyterian Church, 115 East Tennessee Ave. at the corner of Tyler St., Crewe, Va. on Saturday, March 10 at 1 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to any of the following: Mathews County Rescue Squad; Nottoway County Rescue Squad; the humane society of your choice, or Dogs On Deployment.