Richard E. Roller
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF RICHARD E. ROLLER
November 22, 1922 - September 6, 2024
Richard (Dick) Roller was born on November 22, 1922, to Edwin and Maud (Trudeau) Roller. He was one of four children; brothers Bill & Sonny and sister Jane completed the family. Times were tough during the Great Depression and the family lost their home when their Dad was laid off from Ford Motor. During the depression, Dick and his father went to farmers markets to buy food which they delivered in bushel baskets to friends, neighbors and family in need.
Dick met Marian Kelly in grade school and a lifetime loving bond was created. Dick and Marian were married in 1942, but their early married life was interrupted by WWII. Dick was working as an 18-year-old tool and die apprentice at Ford Motor Company when he and a select group of apprentices were called into a meeting. They were promoted to Foreman and would be supervising a team of women who had never been employed. They were to build B-24 Bombers at the Willow Run plant. Dick continued in this position for a year then decided he needed to aid the war effort in a different way. He left Ford, giving up his war deferment and joined the Merchant Marine. He was sent to New York for training and qualified as a Second Engineer on Liberty ships. He transported military supplies to both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. He was very proud of his wartime service. At the end of the war, he returned to the USA and Marian.
of Ann Arbor, Michigan, age 87, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at his home. He was born November 9, 1936, in Licking, Missouri, on the kitchen table, the son of Lucious Lloyd and Opal Etta (Stair) Ross.
of Ann Arbor, formerly of Chelsea, age 75, passed away Saturday, August 24, 2024 peacefully at her home in Ann Arbor. She was born April 4, 1949 in Glasgow, Scotland, the daughter of James A. Wilson and Mary Ann (Gwynn) Wilson.