William Henry Rose

Published 12:26 pm Thursday, April 24, 2025

William Henry Rose was born May 29, 1935, to Mayo and Jurean Rose in Wingina. He was the fourth of seven children.

William left home at the age of 16 to start a life in Washington, D.C. where in May 1955 he entered and started a 30-year career in the United States Navy.

In 1957 he married his wife, Mary Estelle Gordon. Together they had four sons and one daughter.

During his time in the Navy, William was an Aviation Machinist Mate, Navy Air Crewman and Flight Engineer traveling the globe. He flew numerous missions of which the most significant and dangerous were over Vietnam and Laos of which he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Metal. He spent a lot of time out of the country on deployments and sea duty. Also, during this time in service his family lived from coast to coast in support of his career.

In 1984, post-retirement from the Navy, William, Estelle and their son, Kirk, moved to their current home in Buckingham, where he amassed and built a home and a general private contractor business for over 20 years until he totally retired.

William was a devoted faithful follower of the Lord and a trustee and groundkeeper of the Union Hill Baptist Church.

William was preceded in death by his father, Mayo; mother, Jurean; wife, Estelle; brothers, Clyde, Alpheus and Ray; sisters, Merneice, Millie and Nina; son-in-law, Jarrett and daughter-in-law, Dora.

He is survived by his sister, Ella Mae; sister-in-law, Virginia, sons, Gary (Clarissa), Boyd (Roslyn), Kirk and Ellis (Robin); daughter, Dennett; grandchildren, William, Ava, Tracy, Boyd (Natash), Brian, Bradley, Brandon (Zakera), Wesley (Frances), Monet and Dahlia; four great-grand children, Chase, Zane, Zara and Sebastian, and a whole host of nieces and nephews.

William loved his immediate and extended family. He was a man of many talents who enjoyed building or repairing mechanical items, working his garden, hunting and being with friends. He lived a life of service to his God, country, family and community.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, April 26, at 11 a.m. at the Union Hill Baptist Church in Buckingham with Rev. Charles Trice officiating and Rev. James Rose as Eulogist. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends one hour before time of service.

Arrangements by Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel of Lovingston.