Bill "Earl" Roge

Age 75 of South Wilmington, Illinois, formerly of Montgomery, Illinois, died Thursday, April 6, 2023 at his home.

Born December 5, 1947 in Hinsdale, Illinois, William Wayne was a son of William and Oceana (Smith) Roge. He was raised and educated in Lisle, and graduated from Lisle High School with the Class of 1965. Bill attended junior college until he was drafted into the United States Army, with whom he would serve in the airborne infantry as a paratrooper in the Vietnam War, until his honorable discharge in 1970. After his military service, he met the love of his life on a first date, Suzanne Irene Harrig, who he married on August 7, 1970. Together, they would live together and raise their family in Montgomery, until relocating to South Wilmington for the past sixteen years.

Bill worked as a lineman for Commonwealth Edison for 37 years, and was a member of the Montgomery VFW Post 7452. He was an avid fisherman and found great peace in being outdoors. Bill's home away from home was the Ceco Recreational Club in Coal City, where he served on the board and worked diligently on maintaining the roadways and installing electric hookups for recreational vehicles. He was a kindhearted man, with a great sense of humor, who loved spending time with his friends having a drink and going fishing.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Sue Roge of South Wilmington; three children: Timothy Roge of Aurora, Illinois, Andrew Roge of Crown Point, Indiana, and Kelly (Kiley) Goodman of Ottawa, Illinois; six grandchildren: Alexander, Ayden, Audrey, Evan, Elias, and Eleanor; one brother, Stephen Roge, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Judy Roge, Will Harrig, and Lisa (Steve) Wroblewski; several nieces and nephews, and his best friend, Terrance Zdeb of South Wilmington.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Ralph Roge; two aunts: Dell and Etola; and his good friend, Earl Young.

The family will receive friends for a visitation on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway Street (one block North of Illinois Route 113), in Coal City between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, in the funeral home at 10:00 a.m. Burial with full military honors will follow the funeral service at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made as gifts in Bill's memory to the Shriners Children's Hospital.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share Bill's memorial page via social media.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City (815) 634-2125.