William (Bill) James Rosseau died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 92 on May 15, 2024, after a prolonged battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years Diana (Wenos) Rosseau; daughters Gail Ciepiela (Rory Ciepiela), and Brenda Kienlen (Paul Kienlen); granddaughters Nichole (Ciepiela) Lyons (Preston Lyons), and Lindsy Ciepiela; 3 great grandchildren; Taylor, Colten, and Hunter (children of Nichole and Preston Lyons); and many nieces and nephews.

Bill was born May 29, 1931 in Iron River, MI to parents Emil and Teresa Rosseau. He was raised with his two older brothers Oliver and Howard and his younger sister Katherine (Kat) where they all graduated from Iron River High School. After graduating, Bill worked at the Wenos lumber mill, which was owned by his destined to be father-in-law.  He also became an accomplished baseball pitcher and coach for the Iron River Redlegs.

Bill enlisted into the army in 1952 at age 21 where he received Basic Airborne, Leadership, Special Forces and Cold Weather training. It was during his cold weather training in Colorado and Wyoming, that he discovered his love of the Rocky Mountains. He was ultimately assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Staff Sargent William Rosseau was Honorably Discharged in February, 1954.

After completing his military active-duty service, he attended Michigan Technological University where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1958. During his many trips home, he met and began dating his sister’s friend Diana Wenos.

Bill and Diana were married June 21, 1958 and soon after moved from their families and lifelong homes to Dayton Ohio, where he worked at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. There they began their own family and in 1963 made the decision to accept a position with Martin Marietta Aerospace and move to the Denver, CO area where Diana still resides.  Bill taught his family the joy and respect of the great outdoors as they canoed high mountain lakes, backpacked, and drove their Willy’s Jeep into remote back country areas of the Rocky Mountains. Bill was also an accomplished hunter, providing for his family, and bagging several trophy animals.  After careers with Martin Marietta Aerospace, AFPRO, Lowery Airforce Base and finally as the Deputy Director of Safeguards and Security, Department of Energy at Rocky Flats, he retired in 1992.

Bill and Diana spent their retired years enjoying time with their daughters and sons in law, cheering on their grandchildren and great grandchildren in all their activities and adventures. They took many road trips throughout the western United States including traveling to Montana and Michigan regularly to spend time with family. They realized a long-held dream of theirs by driving to and throughout Alaska, living in their small camper for an entire summer. They traversed the Dalton Highway as far north as Deadhorse Alaska, 250 miles north of the Artic Circle!

Bill will be remembered for his love and dedication to his family, his love of the outdoors, commitment to his career and service to his country.

An Interment service with Military Honors will be held for Bill at Fort Logan National Cemetery on June 6, 2024 at 10:00 am.