Printed in the Enterprise July 10, 1952
W. J. Rodgers, affectionately known as "Bill" to his hundreds of friends in this community, passed away last Sunday morning at the Blair Convalescent Home. He had been in failing health for a number of weeks.
A Scotchman by birth and possessing a ready wit even in his later years, Old Bill had many friends who called upon him regularly after his retirement from the greenhouse business which he operated for 32 years. He often surprised his visitors by bursting forth with a Scotch song, of which he knew many, and to these he frequently added a touch of the Scottish dances which he learned while a youth in his native land.
William Johnstone Rodgers was born in Dormiston, Ayre County, Scotland, February 18, 1865. He grew to manhood in Scotland, coming to America at the age of 24.
Mr. Rodgers was united in marriage to Jessie Aitken, January 1, 1885 at Dondonale, Scottland. Four years later the young couple came to America. They came directly to Blair and to them three daughters were born, Agnes, Jessie, and Helen. Jessie preceded her father in death.
Later, for a short time the family lived in the Ozarks, they moved to Pennsylvania. But Mr. Rodgers decided that Blair was to be his home and he returned.
While in Pennsylvania his wife passed away July, 1904.
He was united in marriage to Mrs. Louise Pieper in Pennsylvania on September 22, 1905 and to them was born a son, William, Jr., and a daughter Louise.
The family returned to Blair in 1908 and Mr. Rodgers at once set about to establish the Blair Greenhouse for the raising of flowers had been his hobby for many years. This business grew successfully until it evolved into a large, modern greenhouse which furnished not only the needs of this community but also much wholesale flowers to the Omaha markets.
During these years in business, Mr. Rodgers became an active member of the Florists' Association and his witty Scotch stories, his songs and dances became an attraction at the conventions which he attended with a high degree of regularity.
He retired from active business at the age of 80 in 1944 when the business was sold to its present operator, Bert Trisdale. Since his retirement he has lived in a modest, but comfortable home in west Blair.
Mrs. Rodgers, who had been in poor health for many months, passed away in 1949.
Remaining to mourn his passing are the four children, Mrs. Agnes Allen, of Labanning, California. Mrs. Helen Robertson, of Laramie, Wyoming; Mrs. Louise Sully of Venice, California, and William Rodgers, Jr. of Macon Georgia. There are three step-children surviving; William Pieper, of Youngstown, Ohio; Ida Edmiston, of Blair and Carl Pieper, also of Blair. Living also are 20 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held in the Congregational Church yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, Mr. Rodgers having been a long-time member of that church and a member of the board of Deacons.
W. J. Rodgers, affectionately known as "Bill" to his hundreds of friends in this community, passed away last Sunday morning at the Blair Convalescent Home. He had been in failing health for a number of weeks.
A Scotchman by birth and possessing a ready wit even in his later years, Old Bill had many friends who called upon him regularly after his retirement from the greenhouse business which he operated for 32 years. He often surprised his visitors by bursting forth with a Scotch song, of which he knew many, and to these he frequently added a touch of the Scottish dances which he learned while a youth in his native land.
William Johnstone Rodgers was born in Dormiston, Ayre County, Scotland, February 18, 1865. He grew to manhood in Scotland, coming to America at the age of 24.
Mr. Rodgers was united in marriage to Jessie Aitken, January 1, 1885 at Dondonale, Scottland. Four years later the young couple came to America. They came directly to Blair and to them three daughters were born, Agnes, Jessie, and Helen. Jessie preceded her father in death.
Later, for a short time the family lived in the Ozarks, they moved to Pennsylvania. But Mr. Rodgers decided that Blair was to be his home and he returned.
While in Pennsylvania his wife passed away July, 1904.
He was united in marriage to Mrs. Louise Pieper in Pennsylvania on September 22, 1905 and to them was born a son, William, Jr., and a daughter Louise.
The family returned to Blair in 1908 and Mr. Rodgers at once set about to establish the Blair Greenhouse for the raising of flowers had been his hobby for many years. This business grew successfully until it evolved into a large, modern greenhouse which furnished not only the needs of this community but also much wholesale flowers to the Omaha markets.
During these years in business, Mr. Rodgers became an active member of the Florists' Association and his witty Scotch stories, his songs and dances became an attraction at the conventions which he attended with a high degree of regularity.
He retired from active business at the age of 80 in 1944 when the business was sold to its present operator, Bert Trisdale. Since his retirement he has lived in a modest, but comfortable home in west Blair.
Mrs. Rodgers, who had been in poor health for many months, passed away in 1949.
Remaining to mourn his passing are the four children, Mrs. Agnes Allen, of Labanning, California. Mrs. Helen Robertson, of Laramie, Wyoming; Mrs. Louise Sully of Venice, California, and William Rodgers, Jr. of Macon Georgia. There are three step-children surviving; William Pieper, of Youngstown, Ohio; Ida Edmiston, of Blair and Carl Pieper, also of Blair. Living also are 20 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held in the Congregational Church yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, Mr. Rodgers having been a long-time member of that church and a member of the board of Deacons.
Printed in the Enterprise July 10, 1952
W. J. Rodgers, affectionately known as "Bill" to his hundreds of friends in this community, passed away last Sunday morning at the Blair Convalescent Home. He had been in failing health for a number of weeks.
A Scotchman by birth and possessing a ready wit even in his later years, Old Bill had many friends who called upon him regularly after his retirement from the greenhouse business which he operated for 32 years. He often surprised his visitors by bursting forth with a Scotch song, of which he knew many, and to these he frequently added a touch of the Scottish dances which he learned while a youth in his native land.
William Johnstone Rodgers was born in Dormiston, Ayre County, Scotland, February 18, 1865. He grew to manhood in Scotland, coming to America at the age of 24.
Mr. Rodgers was united in marriage to Jessie Aitken, January 1, 1885 at Dondonale, Scottland. Four years later the young couple came to America. They came directly to Blair and to them three daughters were born, Agnes, Jessie, and Helen. Jessie preceded her father in death.
Later, for a short time the family lived in the Ozarks, they moved to Pennsylvania. But Mr. Rodgers decided that Blair was to be his home and he returned.
While in Pennsylvania his wife passed away July, 1904.
He was united in marriage to Mrs. Louise Pieper in Pennsylvania on September 22, 1905 and to them was born a son, William, Jr., and a daughter Louise.
The family returned to Blair in 1908 and Mr. Rodgers at once set about to establish the Blair Greenhouse for the raising of flowers had been his hobby for many years. This business grew successfully until it evolved into a large, modern greenhouse which furnished not only the needs of this community but also much wholesale flowers to the Omaha markets.
During these years in business, Mr. Rodgers became an active member of the Florists' Association and his witty Scotch stories, his songs and dances became an attraction at the conventions which he attended with a high degree of regularity.
He retired from active business at the age of 80 in 1944 when the business was sold to its present operator, Bert Trisdale. Since his retirement he has lived in a modest, but comfortable home in west Blair.
Mrs. Rodgers, who had been in poor health for many months, passed away in 1949.
Remaining to mourn his passing are the four children, Mrs. Agnes Allen, of Labanning, California. Mrs. Helen Robertson, of Laramie, Wyoming; Mrs. Louise Sully of Venice, California, and William Rodgers, Jr. of Macon Georgia. There are three step-children surviving; William Pieper, of Youngstown, Ohio; Ida Edmiston, of Blair and Carl Pieper, also of Blair. Living also are 20 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held in the Congregational Church yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, Mr. Rodgers having been a long-time member of that church and a member of the board of Deacons.
W. J. Rodgers, affectionately known as "Bill" to his hundreds of friends in this community, passed away last Sunday morning at the Blair Convalescent Home. He had been in failing health for a number of weeks.
A Scotchman by birth and possessing a ready wit even in his later years, Old Bill had many friends who called upon him regularly after his retirement from the greenhouse business which he operated for 32 years. He often surprised his visitors by bursting forth with a Scotch song, of which he knew many, and to these he frequently added a touch of the Scottish dances which he learned while a youth in his native land.
William Johnstone Rodgers was born in Dormiston, Ayre County, Scotland, February 18, 1865. He grew to manhood in Scotland, coming to America at the age of 24.
Mr. Rodgers was united in marriage to Jessie Aitken, January 1, 1885 at Dondonale, Scottland. Four years later the young couple came to America. They came directly to Blair and to them three daughters were born, Agnes, Jessie, and Helen. Jessie preceded her father in death.
Later, for a short time the family lived in the Ozarks, they moved to Pennsylvania. But Mr. Rodgers decided that Blair was to be his home and he returned.
While in Pennsylvania his wife passed away July, 1904.
He was united in marriage to Mrs. Louise Pieper in Pennsylvania on September 22, 1905 and to them was born a son, William, Jr., and a daughter Louise.
The family returned to Blair in 1908 and Mr. Rodgers at once set about to establish the Blair Greenhouse for the raising of flowers had been his hobby for many years. This business grew successfully until it evolved into a large, modern greenhouse which furnished not only the needs of this community but also much wholesale flowers to the Omaha markets.
During these years in business, Mr. Rodgers became an active member of the Florists' Association and his witty Scotch stories, his songs and dances became an attraction at the conventions which he attended with a high degree of regularity.
He retired from active business at the age of 80 in 1944 when the business was sold to its present operator, Bert Trisdale. Since his retirement he has lived in a modest, but comfortable home in west Blair.
Mrs. Rodgers, who had been in poor health for many months, passed away in 1949.
Remaining to mourn his passing are the four children, Mrs. Agnes Allen, of Labanning, California. Mrs. Helen Robertson, of Laramie, Wyoming; Mrs. Louise Sully of Venice, California, and William Rodgers, Jr. of Macon Georgia. There are three step-children surviving; William Pieper, of Youngstown, Ohio; Ida Edmiston, of Blair and Carl Pieper, also of Blair. Living also are 20 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held in the Congregational Church yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, Mr. Rodgers having been a long-time member of that church and a member of the board of Deacons.
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