Billy Joe Rogers died on October 31, 2019 in Alexandria, La. He was born August 20, 1938 and had recently celebrated his 81st birthday.

Billy was born to a pioneer Union Parish family who moved from Alabama before the Civil War. At the time of his death, he still owned property settled by his great grandfather in the 1840's. Billy was raised in the Crossroads community and attended school at Crossroads and Farmerville. He spent most of his career in the construction industry, but was also an entrepreneur at heart who passed that entrepreneurial spirit onto his children and grandchildren of whom he was very proud.

He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers for over 50 years, and a member of the Union Fraternal Lodge #53 in Farmerville for over 51 years. In the 1950's, he was a member of the Louisiana National Guard.

Billy loved sports, especially L.S.U. football, the New Orleans Saints and the Texas Rangers. He usually blamed every loss on the ineptness of the coaching staff, and still mourned L.S.U. loosing Nick Saban, who he still admired, but rooted against every year.

He loved his family and his family loved and hero worshiped him. He was truly our hero til the very end. Every time he faced a life threatening situation, his son would state "don't bet against him." Suffering a massive stroke 33 years ago, he taught himself to drive, write, and dance again. He was a rock, a machine that never stopped trying to live life as abundantly as his body allowed. Sometimes he ignored his physical problems and just did it anyhow.

Mr. Rogers is survived by his daughter, Shawn Ray (Glenn) of Palestine, Tx., son, Wendell Rogers (Karla) of Farmerville, La., son, Corey Rogers (Karen) of Woodsworth, La., and son, Quinton Rogers (Tammy) of Palestine, Tx.; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and 3 great great-grandchildren. Special friends of over 20 years, Dorene Kuykenolahl of Libuse, La. and John Giovanni Dichario of Pineville, La.

Mr. Rogers was preceded in death by his mother, Annabelle "Toye" Smith Rogers; father, Delton E. Rogers; the world's greatest step-father and grandfather, James Monroe Rogers; and great-granddaughter, Alexis "Lexie-Lou" Weakley.

Visitation will be Saturday, November 2, 2019 at Farrar Funeral Home Chapel from 10:00 a.m. ~ 12:00 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 12:00 noon in the Chapel of Farrar Funeral Home and will be officiated over by the Rev. Robbie Lawson and Mayor M.Stein Baughman. Interment will be at Shady Grove Cemetery on Joe Rogers Road in Farmerville, La.

Grandsons serving as pallbearers will be Brandon Ray, Roger Peart, Austin Rogers, Taylor Rogers, James Rogers and Logan Rogers.

Great-grandsons will serve as honorary pallbearers.