F. Rogers Willett, III

F. ROGERS WILLETT, III

May 5, 1948 – November 14, 2023

F. Rogers Willett, III, of Littleton, Colorado, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at his home in Roxborough Park, Colorado, with his loving wife, Trish, by his side.

Rogers was born on May 5, 1948, to F. Rogers Willett, Jr. and Patricia Jean Traverse in Tyler, Texas, which he was so very proud to be a Texan. When he was 5 years old, his family moved to Pawhuska, Oklahoma where he was raised with his 5 other siblings and lived there from kindergarten through high school. While he was attending Pawhuska High School, he and his best friends formed a rock ‘n roll band called “The Esquires, Ltd.” They were the “Fab Four” of Pawhuska with all kinds of adoration coming from their fans. All four band mates remained loyal friends throughout his entire lifetime. Rogers’ was the guitarist and continued to enjoy playing his guitars and listening to the great songs of their era.

Rogers earned his Business Degree in Marketing from Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma, and went onto a very productive and very accomplished sales career in different aspects of the automotive and the transportation industry. When he retired from Crane Composites, a Crane Co Company, he was the District Sales Manager covering a huge percentage of the United States and all of Canada. He prided himself in making lasting relationships with all his customers, which earned him major accounts and prestigious sales awards. He was on “The President’s Council” for Arrow Automotive 3 consecutive years, always attaining 125% of his sales quotas. He was recognized as a top team member by his fellow sales colleagues and from prestigious business owners in companies such as Walmart, Tyson, FedEx and many other major corporations. People always thought he had an easy job…wining & dining his accounts, but he truly was a master of the art of sales, especially with his winning smile and his commitment to doing the best job possible.

Throughout his life, Rogers had many interests and lived life to the fullest. Besides his passion for music, he reveled in chasing classic cars and caught many, many of them. It didn’t have to be any one particular type. He was always looking and found that one special one, which resulted in over 75 cars throughout his lifetime. Seems apropos, 75 cars, 75 years old. He was an adventurist, explorer, and a big time traveler. Whether he was traveling for business or with his wife, Trish, he saw a lot of the world, from Santa Fe, NM to Venice, Italy (his all-time favorite) and could tell you which restaurants to go to in these many near and far away places.

Rogers was a loving husband to Trish, of 48 years, a dedicated father to his son, Chris, and the best big brother one could have to his 5 siblings. He leaves us with a thousand and one stories of lots of good times and also in his sharing in the sad times as well.

Rogers is predeceased by his loving parents, Rogers & Patsy Willett, and his baby brother, Joseph. He is survived by his wife, Trish, son Chris (Sue Ellen), sisters Mary Jean Parker (Ray), Elizabeth “Liz” Teal (Charlie), and Cathy Voight (Randy), along with his brothers, who he finally got, Patrick (Carol) and James Willett. In addition to this large Irish Catholic family, he leaves many admiring cousins, nieces & nephews; Plus his many loving in-laws on Trish’s Italian side of the family; and a multitude of friends. We all will miss his gregarious outlook on life and his big Texas smile. Let us all raise our glasses brimming with cold beer and enjoying great food (his other passions) in honor of Rogers’ life which was well lived & much loved.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers and gifts, donations please be made in his name to The Morgan Adams Foundation, 5303 E. Evans Ave, Suite 200, Denver, CO 80222