William Wayne Rolles

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family to be designated to Tunnel to Towers Foundation or St. Mark Lutheran Church. William “Bill” Wayne Rolles was born March 31, 1943, in Cherokee, Iowa, to Bill and Ruby Hatterman Rolles. Bill was baptized and confirmed in Storm Lake, Iowa. He attended Hayes Consolidated High School in rural Storm Lake. While there, he lettered in baseball and basketball. He also worked at Cobblestone Ballroom where he held various jobs. He really enjoyed telling us stories about the famous musicians he met while working there such as Lawrence Welk, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and many more. During high school, Bill met Sandra Jean Pingel, his high school sweetheart. Their senior year, they had their first son, Gene. After graduation, he then attended Universal Trades School for refrigeration in Omaha, Nebraska. He moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico to start his career. Sandy soon followed and they were married on November 18, 1962, and were married for 61 years. After moving back to Omaha, he went to work for Commercial Refrigeration in Council Bluffs, Iowa. In September 1965, their daughter Kellie was born. A few years later in June 1968 their son Kylon was born. Their second daughter Kym was born in February 1971. Bill’s dream was to own his own refrigeration business. He started Greater Omaha Refrigeration in March of 1971. Bill was always working. He would work 12-hour days, Monday through Friday, and 4 hours each day on the weekends. He was always trying to please his employees and customers. He really grew his business over the years and at one time he had 37 employees. He always saw to it that every customer was taken care of. One of Bill’s favorite parts of his job was giving out bids to customers for new businesses or remodels. Anyone that knew Bill knows that he never let go of anything. He had a whole shop full of used equipment because he never knew when someone just might need something he had. He also loved when he could sell a used piece of equipment and make some money on it. Bill worked full-time up until he was 80 years old, when the cancer forced him into retirement. Shortly before his passing, his company celebrated its 54th anniversary. Bill was very patriotic, he loved his country and the American flag. He volunteered for more than 25 years as an election official and helped count ballots during elections. Bill was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church since 1965. He served on the board of church properties at St. Mark for many years. He was also in the church’s men’s bowling league, along with him and Sandy playing on the mixed softball team too. They also had many friends through the couples’ club at church. Bill loved music. Bill and Sandy would go every year to the Surf Ballroom in Clearlake, Iowa for the Winter Dance Party - where Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper were killed in a plane crash after their February 2, 1959, performance. There they met friends from all over the world and would dress in their 50s clothes, Bill wearing his polyester pants and his patent leather shoes. They would dance the night away. Sometimes staying up, even in their 70s, till 4:00 in the morning. Bill and Sandy would go yearly to Graceland in Memphis for Elvis week and meet up with friends, and 30,000 other people, to enjoy his favorite Elvis music. Bill’s favorite vacations were in Florida. His favorite areas were Sanibel Island, Captiva Island and the Naples area of Florida. He enjoyed walking along the beaches with Sandy and looking for shells or just relaxing in a chair on the beach. Even though Bill was in business for himself and worked many hours, he always found time for his kids. He would even take them on service calls with him to spend extra time with them. He would attend the kids’ sporting events, helped with their fundraisers, after prom parties at school and took the family on long trips for Kylon’s gymnastic meets. Bill loved to hunt, fish, collecting coins and playing poker with friends. He was a real Husker fan, as well, and tried to never miss a game on TV. He loved watching Nebraska volleyball and the Creighton Blue-Jays. Another favorite activity of his was to take a ride in his 1989 convertible IROC-Z with Sandy. They would drive all over and really enjoyed stopping for chocolate shakes along the way at places he did business with. Bill was a real family man. He enjoyed anytime the family would get together when he could see his grandkids. He really enjoyed the later years when they moved to the lake. Bill said, “It was like being on vacation every day.” Bill passed away after a 6-year courageous battle with Neuroendocrine cancer. Bill went through multiple surgeries, many rounds of chemo and other experimental medications, along with several rounds of radiation. Bill always maintained his sense of humor and positive attitude. Even after being diagnosed with a brain tumor, Bill said, “It could always be worse.” He will always be remembered by his family for the strength and grace he had during this difficult battle. Bill was preceded in death by his wife Sandy; parents William and Ruby Rolles; his brother Larry Rolles; in-laws Burdette and Lucille Pingel; and his brother-in-law Dennis Pingel. Bill is survived by his loving children, son Gene (Jerri), daughter Kellie, son Kylon (Vincy), daughter Kym; grandkids Eric Neemann, Adam Neemann (Katie), Luke Neemann, Jordyn Veskrna (Trevor), Sydney Rolles, Kylon Rolles, Jordan Beekley (Tyler), Josie Abraham; great grandchild Bellamy Beekley; brother Terry Rolles (Karen); sister Lisa Rolles; sister-in-law Deanne Rolles; brother-in-law Warren Pingel (Chris); sister-in-law Nancy Pingel; nieces Beth, Mindee, Marisa, Joy and Katie; nephews Shannon, Sean, Todd, Chad; Grand dogs, Lulu and Oakley and many other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family to be designated to Tunnel to Towers Foundation or St. Mark Lutheran Church.

William Wayne Rolles

March 31, 1943 - March 19, 2025