William "Willie" Joseph Roessler, Jr

William “Willie” Joseph Roessler, Jr. ROY – Willie J. Roessler “Tex”, 91, passed away at home on Sunday, June 7, 2009 due to esophageal cancer. Willie was born in Nepal, Texas on December 8, 1917 to Paula Raetzsch and William Joseph Roessler. Willie’s dad died when he was only eight months old. His mother remarried Joe Sample who raised Willie as his own. Willie grew up in the small town of Peasall, Texas, where he graduated from high school. After high school and some odd jobs, Dad got a job at Kelly Air Base as a Crew Chief. In 1943 he was transferred to Tachakawa Air Base in Japan. There he met and married Hester Tomoko Yamaguchi on February 6, 1953. While in Japan they had two children, son Willie Jay and daughter Rita. In 1960 he was transferred to Hill Air Force Base to be part of the Minuteman project, and resided in South Ogden where he and Mom were blessed with one more daughter, Paula. Dad could not ever sit still. He always had a project of some sort going. He was always gardening or building something. Three of his greatest joys in life were his grandsons. He loved and supported them in all they chose to do. He enjoyed watching them play sports, tinkering and teaching them about cars and engines, and just spending time with them. Willie is survived by his wife of 56 years, Hester, his son, Willie Jay (Kathryn), Pleasant View; daughter, Rita, Ogden; three grandsons, Tyler (Randee) Roessler, Ogden; Kevin Roessler, Pleasant View; and Nathan Roessler, Sydney, Australia South Mission. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Paula Roessler, his father, William Roessler, mother, Paula Raetzch, stepfather, Joe Sample Sr., and stepbrother, Joe Sample Jr. The family would like to thank Hospice of Utah and especially his nurse, Brett Tassone, for the great care they gave to Dad. Family and friends may call at Lindquist’s North Ogden Mortuary, 2140 North Washington Blvd., on Thursday from 6 to 7 p.m. Private family services will follow. Send condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com