William P. ‘Bill’ Rodman

He was born on March 4, 1935, in Escanaba, son of Stephen and Rena (LaFave) Rodman. Bill attended Webster School as a youth until his family moved to Bay City for a job opportunity for his dad. In 1945, when World War II ended, the family moved back to Escanaba. Bill attended St. Anne’s School through the 8th grade and later graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1953.

In August of 1945, Bill’s dad bought Halverson’s shop and decided to continue with carpentry work. When he was 12 years old, Bill started working with him, puttying windows. That was the beginning of his interest in carpentry.

In 1948, St. Thomas began a new parish and Bill was the first altar boy to serve at masses. During this time, Bill decided to attend St. Lawrence Seminary where he went for a year and a half. He met many good friends there and a priest who eventually married Bill and his wife.

Softball became very big after the war. Bill was a batboy for his dad’s team along with various other teams. By this time, he went to St. Joseph High School but wasn’t eligible for sports as a transfer student from the seminary. In his junior year he was able to play and helped break Gladstone’s undefeated streak as the pitcher. As a senior he became a spectator of sports, not a player, due to health issues. He spotted a cheerleader and they had their first date in 1952. He married that cheerleader, Barbara Bink, on July 7, 1956, at St. Joseph Church in Escanaba and together they shared 65 years of marriage.

In October of 1954, he volunteered for the draft spending two years in the Army between Ft. Leonard Wood and Ft. Knox. In his second tour at Leonard Wood, he was sent to carpentry school where he taught the teacher how to sharpen a hand and circular saw. This earned him a three-day pass.

When he returned from Army life, he went to work for his father for 20 years and ended up purchasing the business, Rodman Lumber and Kitchens. Bill had a busy life as he helped his wife raise three children and ran a successful business. Bill was passionate about the work he did for others. Each kitchen, bathroom, or other project was truly a work of art. He was blessed to work with his son, Don, for 33 years in the business until retiring in 2013.

Bill’s love of baseball never stopped. When he was eight years old, he went to his first Tiger’s game while living in Bay City and had been a fan ever since. A gift from his aunt for this 8th grade graduation was going to five Tiger games with George Kell and Ted Williams. In 1945, Memorial Field was a buzz of baseball with guys coming home from service. Bill subbed on his dad’s softball team when they were short. He once hit a grand slam homerun inside the park. In his later years, he played on a softball team, managed a boy’s high school team, and was president of the softball association in Escanaba.

Community involvement was important to Bill. He was a former president of the Jaycees, member of the Escanaba Lion’s Club, Optimist Club, and Escanaba Elks Lodge 354. Bill was a past member of the parish council when he was a parishioner at St. Thomas Church. He also was a past president of Holy Name Catholic School Board of Education. He currently was a member of St. Anne’s Church and his strong Catholic faith continued to be a foundation in his daily life. Bill and Barb were very active supporters of the Mary Grove Retreat Center when it was still open.

Bill loved golf and was a member of the Escanaba Country Club for many years. He enjoyed golfing with his wife and the many tournaments that he participated in with his family and friends. He was a four-time Presidents Cup Champion at ECC with his son, Paul.

Bill’s greatest love was his family. He enjoyed playing cards, especially cribbage, and loved the many traveling excursions he and Barb went on over the years. He always enjoyed the planning of each trip. His wife, children, and grandchildren were his pride and joy.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Barb of Escanaba; children, Don (Karen) Rodman of Escanaba, Paul (Lee Ann) Rodman of Escanaba, and Ann Lambert of Gwinn; grandchildren, Shannon, Nicole, Willy, Troy, Jacob, Drew, Alexandria, and Andrea; great-grandchildren, Joey, Vivian, Mac, Zayden, Emmit, and Jeffrey; brother, Bob Rodman; sister, Pat Stock; brother-in-law, Bob (Sherri) Bink; sister-in-law, Mary Kay (Jim) Crawford; and many nieces and nephews.

Her was preceded in death by his parents, Stephen and Rena Rodman.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 23 from 4-6 p.m. at the Crawford Funeral Home, 302 S. 13th St., in Escanaba. Parish prayers will conclude visiting hours at 6 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Friday, September 24 at 11 a.m. at St. Anne’s Church in Escanaba with Rev. Francis DeGroot officiating.

Committal services and military honors will be held on Friday at 2 p.m. in Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, other expressions of sympathy may be directed to the family. A memorial in Bill’s name will be established at a later date.

A message of condolence may be directed to the family by visiting www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net.

The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the Rodman family.