William C. Rollins Jr.
William C. Rollins Jr., 84, passed away quietly on Friday
morning, Feb. 12, 2010, after a distinguished and valiant life of service to
our country. William served in the U.S. Army as a Ranger in the Special Forces
during WWII and was awarded the distinguished Silver Star, Bronze Star and
Purple Heart, amongst many other awards for his acts of courage and bravery in
battle.
He was born in Kansas City, KS, on March 15, 1925, but
resided in Ohio for most of his life.
After his service to our country, William began a long and
dedicated career at the Goodyear Company; although William retired from
Goodyear after over 40 years, it will be his talents as an artist which he will
be remembered best. Over the last five years, William has created close to 300
charcoal portraits of veterans killed in action for the families of our
servicemen and women.
Despite suffering his third heart attack in 2000, William
believed his continued artwork to be his mission in life. His artwork has been
recognized by President Obama and the former President Bush for his service in
honoring the fallen heroes of the armed services and a permanent exhibition of
his wonderful works is displayed at the Summit County Veteran's Service
Commission Center in Akron, Ohio.
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Lois Rollins and
two daughters, Karen Hurd and Kathy Rollins. Survivors include his loving wife
of 14 years, Carol Rollins of the home; a brother, Dick (Sandi) Rollins of
Arizona; a sister, Wilnita Bratten of California; grandchildren, Mark (Kathy)
Hurd, Kim (Scott) Traylor, Chad and Nick Brannan, Derek (Elisa) Sisterhen,
Sarah Hadley, and Shayna Jackson. There are seven great-grandchildren, three
step-children, Doug (Jennifer) Albert, Cindy (Bruce) Hadley, Debbie (Jeff)
Brannan, also surviving. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in
his name to the Honor Flight Network, Attn: Tom O'Neal, 300 E. Auburn Ave.,
Springfield, Ohio 45505, or www.honorflight.org
Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
in the Reed Funeral Home Canton Chapel with Pastor Berry Carter officiating.
Burial will be in Sunset Hills Burial Park. Calling hours will be on Monday
evening from 5-7 p.m. in the funeral home.
Akron Beacon Journal - February 14, 2010
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