William Joseph "Joe" Rodgers

William Joseph "Joe" Rodgers August 18, 1949 - January 25, 2021 Joe Rodgers, loving husband and father, passed away January 25, 2021 due to Covid-19 at Fairhope, Alabama, in his 71st year. A native son and lifelong resident of the Alabama Gulf Coast, Joe was born on August 18, 1949 in Mobile, Alabama to Bill and Elaine (Harris) Rodgers. Raised in Prichard, Alabama and after graduating from Vigor High School, Joe served his country in the Army National Guard. Joe’s talent for the arts found him drawn to a life of creativity. As a young man he spent time moonlighting as a muralist, Mardi Gras float builder and advertising cartoonist for the local papers, eventually launching a successful advertising career and founding the J. Rodgers Agency, where his acumen for strategy and drive to excel served many regional clients and political campaigns. An active parishioner and Lay Eucharistic Minister at St. James Episcopal Church, Joe loved life in Fairhope. He spent countless days sailing Mobile Bay with his children, teaching his boys to fish from the Fairhope and Orange St. piers, sharing sunsets with his loved ones and capturing the beauty of the region in his paintings, some of which have been featured at the Eastern Shore Art Center. Joe loved to cook and treated family and friends to many servings of “Lil’ Joe’s Gumbo,” chocolate cakes on special occasions and his family recipes passed down through generations. An avid coin collector, he treasured the rare coins in his collection and enjoyed discussing his latest trades and additions. Joe was known for his dry, wry wit, and his one-liners often left those around him roaring with laughter. He is remembered fondly by his children for his distinct way of giving loving advice and his unique perspective on life’s most challenging moments. Preceded in death by his daughter, Jennifer, Joe is survived by his loving wife, Helen VanAbbema Rodgers, and his children, Rachel Rodgers Feremans, Tige Rodgers, and Camp Rodgers. He is also survived by his brother, Paul, and three grandchildren. Thank you for being a loving compassionate father and husband and for the memories we will cherish with our families throughout our lifetimes. We will miss you, Joe, but are comforted knowing you will entertain the heavens with your quirky anecdotes and unconventional observations. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. James Episcopal Church of Fairhope, Alabama Memorial Fund. A funeral service to celebrate Joe's life will be scheduled for a later date. -- ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 19698 GREENO RD FAIRHOPE, AL 36532 (251) 990-7775