William Manees Rogers

William Manees Rogers, 86, died peacefully at the hospice facility at Rogue Valley Manor in Medford, Oregon, after battling Parkinson’s Disease, cancer, and sepsis. At his bedside were his wife, Sandra, and daughters, Sue and Janette.

Born on January 20, 1940, in Juneau, Alaska, to William Manees Rogers, Sr., and Virginia Clegg Rogers, Bill grew up in several places as his father’s work took the family to Palmer, Alaska, Texas, Oregon, and finally Lander, Wyoming, where he graduated from high school in 1958. He earned a degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Wyoming in 1963.

Bill began his long and successful career in software development in Huntsville, Alabama, working for major companies including IBM, Control Data, and NCR. He later founded Pacific Automation, providing computer support to banks in Honolulu, Hawaii. In the 1960s, he completed two contract assignments with USAID, serving the U.S. Marine Corps in Northern Vietnam and the U.S. Air Force in Saigon. He closed his career by forming the Manees Loetel Corporation with his wife, Diana, delivering data processing and inter-computer communications services to banking and credit card clients.

An avid traveler, Bill explored the United States as well as Canada, Mexico, Europe, North Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands, often organizing family gatherings and tours to these destinations. His deep love of animals was well known; wherever he lived, he welcomed at least one dog, cat, or even a bunny into his home. His special bond with his cat, Alice, remained especially dear to him.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra Jilton Rogers; daughters M. Sue Medeiros of California and Janette M. Rogers of Nevada; son Kenneth S. Medeiros of Nevada; brother Charles R. Rogers of Oregon; grandson Daniel L. Morgan and granddaughter Christina M. Achoka of Nevada; great-grandchildren Kylie, Palin, Benjamin, and William; step great-granddaughters Lexi and Emma; brother-in-law Thomas E. Prinslow; nephew Garrison T. Prinslow; and cousin Cynthia Clegg of Washington. Bill was preceded in death by his sister, Elizabeth Rogers, and two former spouses, Jane and Diana.