William Rose

William Briggs Rose, 91, of Colonial Heights. Va., passed away peacefully into Heaven on January 5, 2018. He was born on April 6, 1926, son of Caesar Edward and Kate Fennell Rose, and was raised from childhood through high school on a farm in rural Dinwiddie County. As he neared graduation from high school, he enlisted in the US Navy, and was so eager to serve his country in World War II. His memories of his time in the Navy, serving in active combat in the Pacific on the USS LST 823, USS Curtiss, and USS Norton Sound remained vivid with him throughout his entire life. He loved sharing stories of his time served in WWII, and would spend hours exchanging stories with fellow veterans and many others. His time in the Navy was truly one of his most treasured experiences in his life. He was so proud to say that he was a WWII Veteran. After being honorably discharged from the Navy in July 1946, William began a long career at Dinwiddie Motor Company, and then later finished his working career, retiring from the State of Virginia Department of Education, Transportation Department. William was always happy in life, and provided a bright spot in everything. He was an avid golfer and a member of the Country Club of Petersburg for many years, as well as a member of the Colonial Heights American Legion. He was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather, always putting his family first before himself. William was a life-long member of Lebanon United Methodist Church in Dinwiddie. William will be remembered for his kindness to everyone, his devotion to his family, and for being a true hero of WWII. William was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 62 years, Connie Bishop Rose, and four brothers and four sisters. He is survived by one sister, Sarah Hill, his three children: Linda Sue Phillips, William "Bill" Briggs Rose, Jr., and Robert "Bob" Atchley Rose; two grandchildren, Blair Phillips Hoffmann, and William Hunter Phillips. His family wants to acknowledge the outstanding care he received from his cardiologist, Dr. Jiho Han, and his primary care doctor at McGuire Veterans Hospital, Dr. Katherine Coffey-Vega. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 13 at the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, with Pastor Steve McMillion officiating. Interment will be private. The family will receive friends Friday, January 12 from 5-7 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to Lebanon United Methodist Church, PO Box 156, Dinwiddie, Va. 23841.

Visitation Details

Friday, January 12th, 2018 5:00pm - 7:00pm, Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small

Service Information

Saturday, January 13th, 2018 11:00am, Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small

Interment Details