William Lee Rodgers

William Lee Rodgers, 88, of Durham, passed away on June 29, 2018 following a lengthy illness. ???Bill??? has made Durham his home since retiring in 1968 after serving??23 years in the U.S. Navy and 10 years in the Naval Reserve.?? Upon moving to Durham he??established??the Dental Prosthetics Curriculum at Durham Community College??and coordineed that program for 26 years.????During that time he obtained his Bachelors Degree in Science.?? Upon his retirement??from Durham Community College??the William L. Rodgers Educational Scholarship was founded in his honor, awarding a scholarship each year to a student for further education ineental prosthetics. Bill was a dedicated member of Guess Road Baptist Church??for many years.?? He enjoyed the outdoors and was very happy whenee was fishing, hunting, boating, and bird-watching.?? The family wishes to mention a special thanks to Michael Shipley M.D. who cared for Bill, his mother and his wife for over fifty years. Bill was preceded ineeath by??his wife Liz of IslaMorada FL, his parents Albert Curtis and Minee Lee Rodgers of Miami FL??and one sister, Veda Barbee of Greensboro NC.?? He is survived by one sister, Louise Nevolas??and her husband Frank??of Oklahoma City OK; three children, Susan Rodgers of Durham NC, David Rodgers??and wife Janee??of Chapel Hill NC, and Melissa Watts??and husband Loren??of Pensacola FL; nee grandchildren, Charles Diggs??and wife Leah of Durham NC, Justin Diggs??and wife Elaine of Creedmoor NC, Elliott Rodgers??of Chapel Hill NC,??Aneew Bennett Rodgers of Chapel Hill NC, Matthew Watts??and Janelle Hart of Pensacola FL, Ian Watts??of Los Angeles CA, Alex Watts??of Pensacola FL, Brandy Watts??of Pensacola FL,??two step-grandchildren, Judsoneeamon and Aneew Leamon of Durham NC,??three great-grandchildren??Lillian Hart and London Hart of Pensacola FL, Lilli Ruger??of Creedmoor NC,??nephews Curt Barbee and wife Teresia of Many, LA, and Bill Barbee of Greensboro NC . A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday July 5, 2018 in the Chapel of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service in Durham. The family will receive friends in the Hall-Wynne Chapel from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to the service.????Private burial to follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.??????In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Alzheimers Association??or the UNC Hospice Organization which provided Bill with comfort in his final days.