Roll Call Tribute

William Rodriguez, Sr.
March 4, 1945 ~ April 8, 2020 (age 75)

William (Will) Rodriguez Sr. a Proud Aggie and Member of the Letterman’s Club, succumbed to the ravages of the deadly Coronavirus on April 8, 2020, at Memorial City Hospital in Lewisville, Texas, in the presence of his son, Dr. Will Rodriguez Jr. Class of ‘95. As the last family member to be born at the family home in D’Hanis, Will was born on March 4, 1945. He was the seventh child of Nicolas and Santos Maria Rodriguez.

While at A&M, Will was proud member of the Fightin' Texas Aggies Corps of Cadets, and the Texas A&M Track & Field Team. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1968, and a Master’s Degree in 1970. Upon graduation he received his 2nd Lieutenant, Regular Commission in the US Army by General William Westmoreland, while his parents and several siblings watched this proud moment. He served in Okinawa from 1970-1973. He was Honorably discharged from the Army in 1974 as Captain William Rodriguez.

As a High School Senior, Will won the 880 yd. Run (now the 800 meter run) in the State meet, with a record-beaking time of 1:56.6 a record that stood for years. Shortly thereafter Texas A&M Head Track Coach, Charlie Thomas offered Will a Full Scholarship to Texas A&M University, College Station. Will accepted and enrolled at A&M where he had a had a stellar college track career competing in the 4x440 yard Relay and the 880 yd. Run. He was successful in both taking first place in many of the SWC track meets. He competed in numerous collegiate track meets, among them was running against and besting Jim Ryan in the 880 yd. run in the Drake Relays. In 1968 he ran the anchor leg of the mile relay team that set an A&M record. Will Lettered in Track & Field all 4 years while at A&M. He was elected to serve as Captain of the A&M Track & Field Team, his senior year. He ended his college career with a personal best time of 1:50.3 in the 880.

For many years, Will volunteered and was also involved at SEC Track and Field Meets as an official. Here he connected with former teammates and competitors and other famous-named athletes. Sadly, The 2020 SEC Indoor Track & Field Championship February 28-29, 2020 in Gilliam Indoor Stadium - College Station, Texas was his last time he was involved with the SEC Track Meet. About 14 days later being diagnosed with the Coronavirus, which prove fatal.

Will attended D’Hanis schools and in high school, was an outstanding student in academics and athletics, lettering in football, baseball, basketball and track. He was on the final D’Hanis High School football 6-man team that won Regional Championships in 1961 and 1962, and on the first D’Hanis High football 11-man team in the fall of 1963. Will also served as class officer for his 17-member class, graduating highest ranking boy in 1964.

Known for his punt returns in football, it was this speed and stamina which proved to be his forte. He was part of the 440 yd. relay and mile relay teams in 1962, 1963 and 1964. In the spring of 1964, he entered the 880 yd. run (now the 800-meter run) and won District. He ran in the regional meet and won there as well. He qualified to run in the state meet and won there, too. Mr. Clayton”Butch” Woolls, assistant football coach, drove Will to the state track meet in Austin and called the school to inform them that Will had won his heat and would be running in the finals This was the first time any D’Hanis High School athlete had qualified for a State Championship event. Not only did he qualify for the Finals, Will took first place with a record-breaking time of 1:56.6, a record that stood for years. Present at the finals were DISD Superintendent Mr. Roy Kile, Coach “Butch” Woolls, and Will’s brothers Ramon and Manuel.
Residing in Lewisville as a single father, Will was a career employee with Mobil Oil Petroleum Products, traveling in the US and Mexico, before retiring in 2016. He was happily married to Deborah Keilman until cancer took her in 1987. He loved his Dallas Cowboys. He was a season ticket holder for the Fightin’ Texas Aggies football team, rarely missing a game. For many years he was also an official at the Texas A&M Track and Field Meets.

As an Olympics Fan he attended the Olympic Games in Los Angeles (1984), Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996), London (2012) and Rio de Janiero (2016), accompanied by brothers, sisters, or friends and visiting each country while there. He made several cross-country motorcycle trips in the US and Mexico with brothers Manuel and Daniel, and attended motorcycle rallies, including the legendary rally in Sturges, SD. After retiring, he attended many Aggie football home games with his family Dr. Will, Dr. Stephanie, and granddaughters Isabel and Sage.

More leisurely times were spent at home with family in his Lewisville Lake back yard. He enjoyed attending his granddaughters’ cheer competitions in Texas and across the US. He never missed an Austin Westlake High School football game where granddaughter, Isabel, is a varsity cheerleader. Family was important to him, as was attending the Rodriguez Family reunion in D’Hanis every June, to share old stories.

Will was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Deborah Kielman, infant brother Luis, and younger brother Eddie, as well as in-laws Rosa Lopez Rodriguez, Dan Nelson, and Richard Wagner. He is survived by his loving family, former wife Angela Rodriguez Cusmano, mother of his son Dr. Will Rodriguez’95, his wife Dr. Stephanie Urias Rodriguez, and granddaughters Isabel and Sage from Austin, and younger son James, from Denton. Surviving sisters are Tina Watson (Bob); Mary Wagner; Irene Rodriguez-Dubberly (Sam); Linda Rodriguez (Roger Wood); Carmen Pruneda (Pete). Surviving Brothers include Ramon and Eloisa Rodriguez; John Class of ‘70 and Graciella Rodriguez Class of '98; Hipolito (Polo) Rodriguez (Linda Cooper); Manuel and Elaine Rodriguez; Louis Class of ‘72 and Barbara Thorwegen-Rodriguez Class of ’84 ; Albert and Patricia Rodriguez; and Daniel Rodriguez and Tiffany Dale Class of '95. Additionally, Will is survived by 46 nieces and nephews, 50 great-nieces and nephews, 7 great-great nieces and nephews and numerous cousins.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions, Father Babychan offered graveside blessings at Holy Cross-San Francisco Cemetery in D’Hanis on April 14, with Will’s immediate family present. A memorial mass and reception for family and friends will be held sometime in the future.