William James Rogers

William James Rogers, 73, of Huntington, W.Va., husband of Jane Humphrey Rogers, passed away on Monday, January 1, 2018 at his residence. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 1:00 pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church conducted by Fr. Dean Borgmeyer. Rite of Committal will be at a later date in the Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery, Dunbar, WV. William was born on May 9, 1944 in Berwyn, IL the son of the late Ralph and Mary Waugh Rogers. William was retired Chief Probation Officer for the Cabell County Courts. A veteran of the US Navy and the Naval Reserves for 4 and a half years before joining active duty and serving on the U.S.S. Ozark MCS-2 out of Charleston, SC and a Kentucky Colonel. He was a graduate of St. Joseph Catholic High School and graduated from Marshall University in 1967. In 1968 he was a teacher and coach for Nicholas County High School. He was an interim basketball coach at St. Joseph Catholic High School in 1969 and 1970. He was a probation and parole officer in District 7 Judicial Circuit Court District 29 in Mason and Putnam County from 1970-1973. He was moved to the office of the circuit court in Cabell County in 1974. He became the chief probation officer when the adult and juvenile divisions merged in 1977 and served until his retirement in 2004. He was one of five founding members of the West Virginia Association of Probation Officers, founded in 1975. He directed the adult and juvenile division and was responsible for the first drug court in Cabell County and the first home confinement program. He enjoyed many years as a Civil War reenactor and was a participant in the movie 'Gettysburg' in 1999. In addition to his wife he is survived by his children, Jill Surratt of Herndon, Virginia and Meg Lindell (Randy) of Huntington; grandchildren, Robert (Ryanne) and Tiffanie Surratt of Maryland; two great grandchildren, Max and Ryon Surratt; four brothers and sister in law, John(Verena), Bob, Rick and Jim (Amy) Rogers all of Huntington; one sister and brother in law, Becky (Mark) Summers of Cincinnati; and a niece Angela Summers. The family will receive friends from 11:00 am until service time Saturday, January 6, 2018 at the church. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the St. Joseph Catholic High School, 600 13th Street, Huntington, WV 25701, in memory of William Rogers. Reger Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.regerfh.com.