William "Bill" Rooker, 72 of Marmaduke, died Sunday, April 29, 2007, with his family by his side. Bill gave a very courageous battle with cancer for four years.

He was born in Delaplaine Nov. 2, 1934. He was a 1953 graduate of Paragould. He moved to Flint, Mich., and soon joined the Air Force, where he spent four years during the Korean War. After returning home for the service, he was a construction worker for Flint Asphalt and Paving.

Rooker married Ruth Sears in Flint, June 13, 1959. He started his own trucking business in 1967, Rooker and Sons Trucking. The family moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1982, then brought his business back to Arkansas in 1985.

He loved his work as a dump truck driver. He was well known for miles around.

He was a member of Union Central Church of Christ, and also a lifteime member of VFW.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Margarette Rooker of Sikeston; and two infant brothers; his mother and father-in-law, George and Millie Miller, who loved him dearly.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Rooker of the home; two sons, Michael "Mickey" Rooker of the home and Bill Rooker Jr., of Corpus Christi; two brothers, Edward and Edith Rooker of Dexter, Eugene Rooker of Marmaduke; a sister, Loretta Buddhu of Cherokee Village; brother-in-law and wife, Bill and Velma Sears of Cathedral City, Calif.; a very special friend, Rene Gonzalez of Corpus Christi; one granddaughter, Kristal Rooker of Aurora, Colo.; two grandsons, Michael and Mick Rooker of Orange City, Fla.; a great-granddaughter, Mickelle Teho of Colorado; several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, 2007 (today) at Irby Funeral Home in Marmaduke with Bro. Kim Bridges officiating. Cremation will follow.

Irby Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.