William Charles Rogers

With deep sadness and much affection, the Rogers family mourns the passing of William Charles Rogers “Bill” of Concord, New Hampshire, on Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at the age of 87 years.

Bill was born on January 17, 1933, to Henry and Hilda Rogers in Amsterdam, New York. He grew up during the Great Depression and learned early to work hard, clean his plate and sometimes go without.

Shortly after graduating from Amsterdam High School, Bill married Marilyn Jean (McKnight), his spouse of 66 years. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving for four years during the Korean War.

After Bill left the Air Force, the couple settled in Contoocook, New Hampshire, where their son Dana was born in 1961 and their daughter Erin in 1965. Outgoing and mechanically inclined, Bill built a successful career in sales.

He started off selling auto and marine batteries for Bowers Corporation; his upbeat personality and strong work ethic served him well. For many years, Bill was the top salesman for Capitol Plumbing and Heating Supply Co. in Concord. He genuinely loved his work and remained at Capitol for 30 years.

Talkative and genuinely interested in others, Bill could strike up a conversation with almost anyone. Marilyn recalls an incident when Bill dialed the wrong number while making a sales call and managed to sell a new water heater to a total stranger. Helping others was instinctual for Bill, and service shaped the arc of his long life.

Bill was an active member of First Congregational Church of Hopkinton for 58 years. He worked as co-leader of the Junior High Fellowship, then he became a church deacon, and finally he served as a trustee. He cheerfully made himself available to his two granddaughters Samantha and Nicole, playing doctor on the floor with them for hours and making them wooden toys from scratch in his workshop.

His devotion to family contributed to his and Marilyn’s decision to retire in Sundance, Wyoming, to help their daughter Erin and her husband Keith Noback raise two young grandsons, Rowan and Kieran. Both general practitioners, Erin and Keith worked long hours at the local clinic.

They were grateful to have Bill and Marilyn help in the care of their children. As the boys grew older, Bill would take them camping and fishing in the Black Hills that surrounded the town.

During their eleven years in Sundance, Bill served on the Senior Citizens Board of Directors and delivered meals on wheels to private households every week. But in 2015, their grandsons were growing up, and despite enjoying several lasting friendships in Sundance, the couple felt it was time to “come home” to New Hampshire. They said farewell to Big Sky Country and took up residence at Havenwood Retirement Community in Concord.

Bill is preceded in death by his daughter, Dr. Erin Rogers. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Rogers; his son, Dana; his daughter-in-law, Maggie Rogers; and four grandchildren, Samantha and Nicole Rogers and Rowan and Kieran Noback.

A graveside service will take place in the spring in Contoocook Village Cemetery’s Memorial Garden. Rescue cats and dogs were an integral part of the Rogers household, and a donation to your local SPCA in memory of Bill would be appreciated.