Mr. William Edward Roach

Land O’ Lakes – “Bill� William E. Roach, age 88, passed away in his home after a long illness, surrounded by his family, on March, 8, 2010. He was born June 25, 1921 in his parents’ home on the Bayshore in Tampa. Bill lived with his wife, Irene, in Land O’Lakes where he settled more than 50 years ago, actively worked in the community, and owned a citrus grove. He was a lifetime member of Sertoma and many other civic organizations. Bill proudly served his country for more than 13 years in the U.S. Air Force. He was an Ex-POW in WWII where he was held captive in Germany for more than 2 years after his fighter plane was shot down. Bill was an avid historian and kept local, state, and national events sharp in his mind, ready to share at a moment’s notice. He was passionate about helping others and always pulled for the underdog. A native and lifelong resident of Florida, Bill is survived by his wife, Irene; sons, James Roach of Lagos, Nigeria and Jay Leslie Roach of Lutz; daughters, Sherri Edmisten Shuman and son-in-law, Chuck of New Port Richey, Kimberly Saavedra and son-in-law, Orlando of Land O’ Lakes, and Wendy Neal and son-in-law Rod of Land O’ Lakes; 8 grandchildren, Veronica Saavedra Steiner, Joshua Saavedra, Dorothy Roach Durst, Danny Edmisten, Sarah Saavedra, Jamie Roach, Ross Neal, and Caroline Neal; and, Penny his loving and devoted Schnauzer who never left his side. He was preceded in death by his parents, James E. and Agnes Roach of Tampa; his first wife Dorothy Roach; brother Jay Leslie Roach; sister Margaret Freeman; son, Daniel Macon; and, grandson Corey Edmisten. Bill Roach, a “poor farmer�, loving husband and father, community activist, soldier, and entrepreneur, will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 13th in the First Baptist Church of Lutz at 11:00AM. The family will receive visitors beginning at 10:00AM. Interment at Myrtle Hills Memorial Gardens in Tampa will immediately follow the service with well deserved Full Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in William's name to: James Haley V.A. Hospital Disabled Veterans Fund OR: Andersonville National Historic Site POW Museum 496 Cemetery Road Andersonville, Ga. 31711 Note: Bill was VERY passionate about showing due respect to our country's veterans. If you would like more information about what this museum has to offer, please visit their website at http://www.nps.gov/ANDE/index.htm or you can call them at (229) 924-0343. *****************************************************************************************************************************************************************William Edward Roach June 25, 1921—March 8, 2010 Biography Bill’s life story was filled with memories and he loved to reminisce about his years in the Air Force, farming, family and friends. He was born in the family home on Bayshore Blvd in 1921 to James and Agnes Roach. He had an older brother and sister, Leslie and Margaret. He was an entrepreneur from an early age. When Bill was 9 years-old his father gave him oranges which he sold door-to-door from his wagon. He had $278 in his savings account in 1929 when the great depression began and he lost all of the money. At age 16 Bill got a job at the Peter O’Knight airport on Davis Island working on planes. He made $15 for a 70 hour week. That was the beginning of his love for flying. Bill graduated from Plant high school in 1940 where his most noteworthy accomplishment was the strategic placement of a skunk gland in the school ventilation system. School was closed for the day. The second gland he had was placed under the Hillsborough High grandstands during the Plant/Hillsborough football game. After graduating from high school, he attended Marion Military Institute in Marion, Alabama where he took flight training. His dream was to be a fighter pilot. He joined the Army Air Force, became a fighter pilot, and was later stationed in Steeple Morten, England. Bill was nicknamed “Beetle� by his fellow pilots and lifelong friends who flew P-47’s and P-51’s in the 355th Fighter Group. On his 11th mission flying bomber escort, he was forced to crash land in France due to his plane being damaged in air combat. He and his plane were captured by German soldiers. The Germans salvaged his plane and put their markings on it. He was loaded in a train boxcar and taken to Barth, Germany on the Baltic Sea where he spent the next two years as a prisoner of war. Bill earned the title of “The Mole� for his affinity to use a coffee can to dig escape tunnels while a POW. After returning home to the U.S. Bill married one of his Air Force nurses, Dottie, in 1945. They had two sons, Jim and Les. Bill stayed in the Air Force for 13 years and left when his father needed help taking care of his orange groves on Idlewild Ave. in Tampa. In 1954, he bought land in Land O’ Lakes and became a citrus farmer. The reason for buying land in Pasco County, he said, “was because the taxes in Hillsborough County were too high� so he needed to move further north. He bought a house for $500 in St. Petersburg that was scheduled for demolition to make way for the construction of I-275 and had it moved to Land O’Lakes. Bill’s wife, Dottie, passed away in 1969 after a long battle with cancer. After moving to Land O’ Lakes, Bill became very active in the community. He was one of the founders of the Land O’ Lakes Civic Association and the Volunteer Fire Department and served as the first President of both organizations. He built the first shopping center in Land O’ Lakes at the corner of US 41 and Hale Road. In 1970, he married Irene who had a son, Danny, and daughters, Sherri, Kim, and Wendy. For the next 40 years he maintained his interest and participation in the community. Bill loved to travel and took his family on summer vacations every year to the mountains of North Carolina to visit places like Mountain Home, where Bill spent summers in his youth; Washington, D.C. (one of his favorites since he could visit the military cemeteries); and, many other places. He and Irene traveled the globe and went to places like Russia, Europe, China, and cruises too numerous to mention. Two of their best friends, Jim and Loretta Hudson, have been their travel companions for many years. The memories they shared are celebrated over and over again with children and grand children. He was a stout Republican and was actively involved in local, state, and national elections. From the time he moved to Land O’ Lakes, Bill was known for taking stands on issues in the community and supporting worthy causes. He never hesitated to fight issues that he believed were unjust and at times was very outspoken as he adamantly argued his case (as many of our county commissioners may well remember)! Once he took on a battle with the U.S. Postal Service and posted signs in front of his shopping center, the Land O’ Lakes Plaza, to inform the public of what was occurring. Numerous other times he attended the meetings of the Pasco County Commission to express his opinions. Bill, Dominic, Jim, and a few others started Pasco’s first Sertoma Club which supports services for individuals with speech and language impairments. He was credited with starting 11 clubs in Pasco County and helped to expand the club’s mission by supporting a teen club at the Land O’ Lakes High School. Bill and Irene’s home in Land O’ Lakes was the “meeting place� for numerous gatherings. Get-togethers were held to celebrate birthdays, holidays, school parties, club meetings, the building of homecoming floats, and political or civic activities as well as many other reasons. Bill always loved a party and was happy for him and Irene to host local gatherings. He and Irene were proud parents and grandparents. Summer vacations and holidays were shared with the whole family. Bill enjoyed going with the grandchildren to Sea World, Busch Gardens, Disney World, the beach, and of course, Deep Creek, North Carolina. Bill and Irene spent the past several summers in Deep Creek with their friends, Jim and Loretta Hudson, Nick and Sandra Plant, Norman and Shirley Blankenship, and Hal and Juanita McGregor, as well as many other friends who love the mountains. Bill loved cruises and was able join his children and grandchildren to bring in the New Year just two short months ago. He also dearly loved his pet Schnauzers, watching the news and history channel, keeping up with the state of the economy, and most of all, his wife, Irene. ****************************************************************************************************************************************************************** MILITARY HONORS (Bill would have been so proud!) MacDill AFB Honors and Ceremonies From the Department of the Air Force We present this to you with our deepest compassion and our sincerest expression of sympathy. The MacDill Air Force Base Honor Guard Team listed below, provided honors for this memorial service. Flag Presentation: On Behalf of the President of the United States and a grateful nation, this flag is presented to you as a token of appreciation for your loved one's Honor, Dedication, and Devotion to the Armed Forces of The United States of America. Honor Guard Members: Staff Sergeant Christopher McShan Senior Airman Ericka Endara Senior Airman Kevin Anderson Senior Airman Valerie Carde Airman First Class Jason Razaghi Airman First Class Michael Eichorn