William George Roop
July 17, 1922 ~ April 12, 2013
Born in:
Chicago, Illinois
Resided in:
Lawrenceville, GA
Roop, William George
Bill Roop, age 90, of Lawrenceville, GA passed away peacefully on April 12, 2013 due to cancer complications. While getting progressively weaker during the last 4 months, he kept up his sense of humor. To quote Bill when asked how things are going, he responded, "Well, the first 90 years were great, but since then it's been a real pain".
Bill was born in Illinois where he spent the first 42 years of his life. He met his wife of 64 years, Janet Lea Burke, while they were both working at a bank in Chicago. Jan passed away in 2007. While Bill was overseas serving our country during World War II, their daughter, Peggy Jean, was born. Peggy passed away in 1994. Bill was proud to be in the Army during those years. After his discharge, Jan and Bill were blessed with 4 sons: John David, William George, II, Richard Allen and Glenn Edward.
In 1957, Bill and Jan joined Alcoholics Anonymous. He stayed active with this wonderful organization until his death. The people he met and worked with changed his and his family's life.
The family moved to Georgia in 1965 when Bill took a position with McGraw Hill Publishing Company. He continued to work until his retirement at age 70.
Bill is survived by 4 children and their wives John and Judy, Bill and Sue, Richard and Joice, Glenn, 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. But just as important is the fact that Bill was surrounded by so many great friends.
The proudest things in Bill's life were keeping his family together during all difficult times, his love for Jesus and the strong support he found in AA.
A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 P.M., Saturday, April 20, 2013 at Norcross First United Methodist Church, 2500 Beaver Ruin Road, Norcross, GA with Rev. Gary Dean officiating. Arrangements by Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel, 1031 Lawrenceville Hwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30046, 770-277-4550. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wagesandsons.com
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Bill,
Thank you for being such an inspiration to my recovery. When they say, “All our emotions stem from either love or fear…” you are definitely someone who I always viewed as coming from a loving place. I can only hope and pray to be as loving as you are! Thank you for being such a great member of Alcoholics Anonymous. I know the angels are rejoicing because one of their own came home.
“I Love You, let’s pray”. Thank you Bill.
Bill made it very clear that his real life began when he got sober. He touched many life’s during those 56 years. I know he touched mine. I first heard Bill tell his story during on of my visits to Peachford in the 70’s. We ended up sharing the anniversary date of January 3. We will miss him on Tuesday’s at Blue Chips.
i would say pray for bill’s sole ,but he is sitting next to GOD laughing and telling him that they need to pray for us ! I thank GOD for BILL ROOP !
Thank you Bill for the many years of ESH, mixed with a fine sense of humor, you so generously shared with so many of us. Gone but never forgotten…. your legacy will live on!!
Thank you brother Bill for all you’ve done for so many. For being my friend and sharing your special gift with me. I rejoice with a tear, for I know you are with the Lord, but I will miss you here. I pray to remember your life lessons of unconditional love and tolerance of others.
I remember Bill fondly from many meetings in the Atlanta area. I am sorry for the loss of a great man and a great leader of the rooms.
Dear John and Judy,
Thinking of you and you family. Your dad is at peace now and smiling down on you…and probably entertaining everyone up there :. Hope you find comfort thinking of all the fond memories.
Wonderful friend who has only gone Home to the mansion in the sky, leaving us with such great memories , and hopes and prayers for family and friends.
Sincere condolences for your loss. May God comfort you and bring you peace through the loving promise of the resurrection.
Bill will be missed greatly. He was as good of a person as they come. Always had a great since of humor and a way of looking at life that always seemed to make it a little brighter. I will miss seeing his smile.
Bill,thank you for passing on to us what was so freely given to you. We can only hope to “carry the message” as well as you did.
Bill was an awesome, kind, and very funny man, who touched my life sharing his experience, strength and hope. I will never forget him. I hope you can find joy knowing how much your loved one meant to so many. May God bless you and the peace of the Lord be with during this time.
When I think of the qualities that made Bill special – dedication, loyalty, presence, good cheer – it causes me to examine my own behavior. Bill accomplished in his life what I consider success: being a graceful good example for many years in many ways to many people. Bill set the bar quite high. I miss him already.
Clayton
Brookhaven, GA
We will miss Bill, he was a joy to work with and so proud of the AA Retreats at Ignatius House. His memory will live on through the AA Retreats and all he did to make it special for the retreatants.
Bill always said “The best is yet to be”, and now our Lord truly has the best – a wonderful friend and a gentleman in the truest sense, a family member to his extended one in AA. We’ll miss him terribly – his love, humor, faith, and all the “Billisms” he shared with those lucky enough to be his friends.
Bill will always be a strong light in my eyes ! He made me laugh and told me that i had such beautiful feet… lol …as i wore flip flops in the winter ! : and the lunch at the rexall drug store in duluth was also a memory engraved in my mind ! RIP my wise luving one Bill..i will always rememeber how u described that glass..and i will never look at it the same again : … LUV u ! sonia
As with many people Bill touched my life in many ways. Thank God for the memories and good times we had that no one can ever take away. Those memories of Bill & Jan will be with me for the rest of my life.
My prayers are with all of your family. How blessed we all were to know Bill. He taught me about love. I asked him once why he listened so intently to whoever was sharing and he said it was because whatever was being shared was important to that person. He taught me to listen!
Bill,
I remember when I lived across the street from you growing up. I would always come over and help you mow the lawn, and every time I got to the back yard you would have to help me get up the hill until i was strong enough to do it myself. I have always looked up to you, and always will. You have a very special place in my heart. You will be very missed and love you very much.
My 23 years working at Ignatius House with Bill Roop on his retreats were a blessing to my life.
I will always remember his kindness & concern for me and my family and of course his witty sense of humor! He truly touched many lives.
Debbie Brumelow
You will be greatly missed, Your Love for others bore witness to Those you served through Gods power. My deepest sympathy to the Roop family my prayer’s are with ya’ll.
Thank you Bill for all you did for me when I first started my journey. You taught me a new way of life, and what service to your fellow man/woman meant. I will never forget you..God Bless
Carl