William Joseph “Bill” Roche
8-21-1923 to 2-18-2016
William J. “Bill” Roche died peacefully on February 18, 2016. He was born and raised in Ashley, PA and was a long time resident of Chester, PA. More recently, Bill was a resident of Rising Sun, MD.
Bill honorably served his Country with the 99th Infantry Division in the U.S. Army from 1943-1947 during WWII as a B.A.R. man (Browning Automatic Riffle). He courageously fought in the Battle of Remagen over the Rhine River, Ruhr Pocket, Crossing of the Danube River and the Battle of the Bulge. Bill served in the 1st Army under General Hodges and the 3rd Army under General Patton. He was truly a Hero and most proud of his Combat Infantry Badge.
Upon returning from WWII, he found work in Chester and married the love of his life Mary Catherine Slezak.
Bill was a long time Scott Paper Company employee and was a
“Charter Founding Member” of the Union. He retired from Scott’s in 1983.
Bill was a member of the Aston American Legion, and enjoyed spending time at American Legion Post 194 in Rising Sun, MD. He is also a long time parishioner of St. Katherine Drexel Church. Bill is survived by his children, son Bernard P. Roche, daughters Gloria J. “Bunny” Abel and her husband Joseph (Joe), Marie E. Roma and Patricia B. Bernero, and also survived by Michael Bernero.
He has several grandchildren that he dearly loved, Andrew Roche, Erin Abel Hartfile, Danielle Roma, Sarah Bernero, Melissa Bernero Edwards, William Bernero and Matthew Bernero. Bill has three great grand children, Bridgett and Benjamin Hartfile, and Michael Roche. He was also very blessed and happy to have in-laws Adam Slezak, Laura Bregande and Jean Slezak and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife Mary C. (Slezak) Roche and an infant daughter Laurie Roche, also brothers Bernard Roche, David Roche, and sisters Marian Flaherty, Jean Roche’, and Lorraine Roche.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at St. Katherine Drexel Church from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Mass at 10:00 a.m. followed by internment at Chester Rural Cemetery with military honors. Donations may be made to the American Wounded Warriors Project.
8-21-1923 to 2-18-2016
William J. “Bill” Roche died peacefully on February 18, 2016. He was born and raised in Ashley, PA and was a long time resident of Chester, PA. More recently, Bill was a resident of Rising Sun, MD.
Bill honorably served his Country with the 99th Infantry Division in the U.S. Army from 1943-1947 during WWII as a B.A.R. man (Browning Automatic Riffle). He courageously fought in the Battle of Remagen over the Rhine River, Ruhr Pocket, Crossing of the Danube River and the Battle of the Bulge. Bill served in the 1st Army under General Hodges and the 3rd Army under General Patton. He was truly a Hero and most proud of his Combat Infantry Badge.
Upon returning from WWII, he found work in Chester and married the love of his life Mary Catherine Slezak.
Bill was a long time Scott Paper Company employee and was a
“Charter Founding Member” of the Union. He retired from Scott’s in 1983.
Bill was a member of the Aston American Legion, and enjoyed spending time at American Legion Post 194 in Rising Sun, MD. He is also a long time parishioner of St. Katherine Drexel Church. Bill is survived by his children, son Bernard P. Roche, daughters Gloria J. “Bunny” Abel and her husband Joseph (Joe), Marie E. Roma and Patricia B. Bernero, and also survived by Michael Bernero.
He has several grandchildren that he dearly loved, Andrew Roche, Erin Abel Hartfile, Danielle Roma, Sarah Bernero, Melissa Bernero Edwards, William Bernero and Matthew Bernero. Bill has three great grand children, Bridgett and Benjamin Hartfile, and Michael Roche. He was also very blessed and happy to have in-laws Adam Slezak, Laura Bregande and Jean Slezak and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife Mary C. (Slezak) Roche and an infant daughter Laurie Roche, also brothers Bernard Roche, David Roche, and sisters Marian Flaherty, Jean Roche’, and Lorraine Roche.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at St. Katherine Drexel Church from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Mass at 10:00 a.m. followed by internment at Chester Rural Cemetery with military honors. Donations may be made to the American Wounded Warriors Project.