Billy Chance Rooks

Augusta, GA –Billy Chance Rooks, 92, loving husband of June Lanier Rooks, peacefully passed away on May 25, 2024, surrounded by family.

Bill was born on January 28, 1932, in Metter, Georgia, and is survived by his wife, June Lanier Rooks, Augusta, GA, three daughters, Jane Poston (Cliff) Thomson, GA, Jill Turner (Chad) Canton, GA, and Julie Phelan (Mike) Lake Burton, GA. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Thomas Perrie (Kathryn), William Perrie, Ren Turner (Brittany), Sam Turner (Sarah), Madison Turner (Maggie), Adeline Carroll (Caleb), Grace Phelan, Kevin Phelan, and Patrick Phelan. He is additionally survived by five great-grandchildren, his sister, Martha Rooks Bird, Metter, GA, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Leonard Crawford Rooks and Inez Chance Rooks, and his sister and brothers, Kathleen Rooks Cavin, Harold Gray Rooks and Robert Frank Rooks.

Bill attended the University of Georgia and Georgia Southwestern Colleges. He was a Veteran of the United States Army. In 1960, as a representative for Sperry Corporation, Bill had become proficient in the office equipment business. The natural progression for him was to establish and open Modern Business Equipment. By 1998, it had become one of Augusta’s oldest and largest office equipment dealers, selling and servicing office furniture, large, automated commercial storage systems, and providing technical advice and interior design consultation to architects. He also opened a satellite office in Savannah. His goal for the business was to deliver efficient and timely customer service, giving him a competitive edge. Bill was known to say, “The business was ahead of its time, but I didn’t know that. I was just young and energetic”. 

Bill was a devout member of First Baptist Church and the Crusaders’ Sunday School Class. He was a member of Augusta Country Club and Sand Hills Associates Investment Club, whose members will serve as honorary pallbearers in addition to Norman Skelton and Dr. Barry Goldsmith. 

Bill loved everyone. He was authentic, genuine, and selfless. He lived and modeled (Corinthians 10:24), “No one should seek their own good, but the good of others”. His priority was family, beginning with his wife, June, and carried through to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was a beloved husband and father and grandfather and father-in-law and brother-in-law and uncle and brother. He set an exemplary example regarding the importance of strong family bonds, unity, and loyalty.

Bill cherished family holidays and get-togethers at his and June’s Metter Pond house, nestled and hidden among pecan orchards, the pond, and fields of crops. Everyone convened for fishing and hunting and four-wheeling and go-karting and outdoor bonfires, games and laughs, good food and togetherness, and celebrations of one another, saying goodbye to the day with a nightly porch swing or around a crackling fire, his favorite activity, keeping it well-stoked. He made new friends daily, and enjoyed cherished long-standing friendships, of which there were many. He had a sincere desire to know others, to understand, to inquire, to help. His humor, sharp wit, and love of life are unparallelled. He was a true and sincere friend to all, an eternal optimist.

Our family would like to express gratitude for the love and compassion received from the caregiving of Dee Dee Young and Shalanda Tucker.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 3500 Walton Way Ext., Augusta, GA 30909.