William Rouse

RochesterCremation heart-closed (2)

Rochester:  January 25, 201 at age 69.  William is predeceased by his parents, Helen & Mike Rouse.  He is survived by his brother, Gary Rouse; many friends.

Billl played 3 years of minor league baseball and is a member of the Rochester Softball Hall of Fame.  He lived life to the fullest and was a good friend.

His Memorial Service will be held Saturday, February 8th, 11 A.M. at Guardian Angels Church, 2061 E. Henrietta Road.  Interment held privately.

Rochester Cremation, 4044 W. Henrietta Road, Rochester NY 14623, 359-2300, RochesterCremation.com.

32 Condolences

  1. Gary Rouse on February 1, 2014 at 11:41 pm

    I will be lost with out my brother I loved him so much . He was my idol that I looked up to its unfortunate that he could not have seen his 70 th birthday here on earth but he was in a lot of pain Now he can rest in peace with ma and dad I will always keep you in my heart Billy Iwas so blessed to have you with me here as my brother I love you Billy

  2. Timothy D Smith on February 2, 2014 at 12:37 am

    Rest in peace slugger you will be dearly missed by all .

  3. Ed Fritz on February 2, 2014 at 8:30 am

    May You Forever Rest in Peace Bill.
    Ed Fritz Daytona Beach,Florida

  4. BERT JONES on February 2, 2014 at 12:09 pm

    VERY SORRY PLAYED BALL WITH AN AGAINST HIM I AM FROM PITTSFORD

  5. Jim Arnold on February 2, 2014 at 1:31 pm

    Gary Rouse My name is Jim Arnold I went to school with Bill he was a great guy. My wife and I want you to know how sorry we were to here about Bill. Jim & Helen Arnold

  6. Robert W. Steinmetz on February 2, 2014 at 4:35 pm

    B-205 co-worker, he was a good man.

  7. Jeff & Mary on February 2, 2014 at 6:17 pm

    Gary,
    Billy was such a happy spirt, I can still remember his smile. He’s at home now with your Mom & Dad and I’m sure you’ll feel their blessings as you move through your grief…hang in there.
    Our thoughts & prayers are with you,
    Jeff & Mary Ellen. xo

  8. Sandy DeBout on February 2, 2014 at 6:37 pm

    Here is to the wonderful memories of growing up together. The years of watching you play baseball. Sharing so many good time and some sad times together.
    Your loving cousin, Sandy

  9. Jane Scheid on February 2, 2014 at 7:04 pm

    Gary,
    I am so sorry to hear about your brother.
    My prayers and thoughts are with you.
    Jane

  10. Bob K on February 2, 2014 at 7:35 pm

    Gary,
    I knew your brother and played ball with and against him a long time ago at GeneseeVP and Bayview. He was a friend and a great athlete. May he now find rest and peace

  11. Gary Johnson on February 2, 2014 at 8:05 pm

    It has been many years since I have seen Billy, but I miss him already. We shared a lot of years together, between Little League in the 19th ward and all those years playing softball together and against each other many times. Our parents were good friends in the 19th ward. Unfortunately I will be away the weekend of Billy’s memorial service. Gary, I hope you read this and will contact me. My cell is 716-560-4868 and my home is 585-343-4783.

  12. Carol Miller on February 2, 2014 at 8:26 pm

    Sorry to hear about Bill’s passing. I knew him from Kodak, building 205. Used to talk to him often. He had a good sense of humor and used to make me laugh all the time. I’m sure he is in a much better place and will be sadly missed by all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

  13. Dave Thomas on February 3, 2014 at 2:19 am

    I was Bill’s “Protege’ ” on the Jerry Earl’s softball team….we,as a team,and with THE MOOSE enjoyed many,many good times and victories during those ealy 70s years!

    You’ll will be missed by those that came in contact with you. I am thrilled that you came to say “Good-Bye” to “Harry-The Hat”…..Dave Thomas

  14. Dave Yanz on February 3, 2014 at 1:12 pm

    Rest in peace Bill. I will always remember the many family picnics together. Your cousin, my late wife Lorrie and I always enjoyed your smile, stories, and quick wit. Will always keep the memories of you and good times close to my heart.
    Dave Yanz

  15. Kim Hosmee on February 3, 2014 at 1:44 pm

    You were my idol growing up and you taught me so much about softball. May you rest in peace with Aunt Helen and Uncle Jabroney. Love your little admirer!

  16. doris sutton on February 3, 2014 at 1:55 pm

    I have lost someone who was very special to me. Not only in High school, but in years later. We had some great times together & I will always remember the way he smiled. He loved baseball. It was in his blood. My daughters & I went to many of his games. He was a very kind, gentle, giving man.
    Bill will always be in my Heart.
    Rest in Peace Bill.

    Doris Suttom

  17. Melissa Pettit (Bill & Crystal too) on February 3, 2014 at 3:11 pm

    Gary, I feel blessed to have lived next door to Helen and Billy. Not having family in Rochester originally, they became my family. Helen loved me like a daughter and Billy said I was his sister! I will never forget the time I spent Thanksgiving with you guys and Helen got out the “thrown” picture…we all laughed so hard! I will never forget dancing with Billy at your house! So many great times! Billy & Helen were a perfect example of how to live life to the fullest and would want that for you. I FEEL YOUR PAIN! I will miss Billy’s smile, positivity, good nature and his hugs!!! OOO

  18. Dennis Masters on February 3, 2014 at 9:08 pm

    Gary,
    Bill will be missed by many and I believe now he will know how many friends and admires he really did have. A talented gifted guy well beyond many and saughet after by all. Moose was my roomate through the Genesee Valley hardball years and a guy that was funny, honest, smart and had a sense of humore if you really knew him. Moose as we all would call him was a true caring friend who will be missed dearly and I am so thankful for the friendship he gave me and the many good times we spent together. God bless you Moose I will remember our times together always.
    Your friend,
    Dennis

  19. adrian twist on February 4, 2014 at 2:45 am

    Bill and i had a few legendary times together.i will miss him but will always have the memories.he was one of the greatest players i have ever known.rest in peace Billy

  20. Ronnie Board Sr on February 4, 2014 at 6:52 pm

    Gary my best to you at this rough time. One of the greatest players and friends i ever knew was Billy Rouse. My memories are full and my heart is heavy. God bless you Bill and RIP.

  21. doug root on February 4, 2014 at 11:04 pm

    GARY;
    JUST READ THE NEW’S ABOUT YOUR BOTHER;MY HEART AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU IN THIS TIME OF LOSS;I REMEMBER YOUR BROTHER WOULD ALLWAYS PITCH TO US IN DRIVE WAY AT YOUR HOUSE’S I DON’T THINK;I KNOW I NEVER WAS ABLE TO GET A HIT ALL HIM.
    DOUG

  22. Leonard Hirshberg on February 4, 2014 at 11:54 pm

    Gary my condolences, may Billy rest in peace.

  23. Richard Brimacomb on February 5, 2014 at 2:55 pm

    He was a great guy & a true friend,even thou we lost contact over the years.We spent many nites at the Bowl A Roll he was a true friend & would always be their for you in good & bad times he will really be missed ,we will meet again old friend.

  24. Jan Ferret Trojanowski on February 7, 2014 at 1:22 pm

    Gary,
    I was deeply saddened by the news of Billy’s passing. My heart felt condolence to you and your family.
    My sincerest sympathy,
    Jan
    (a classmate and friend of Bill)

  25. Bill Gruschow on February 7, 2014 at 3:24 pm

    It’s been along time since I’ve seen Billy, but I will always remember the time spent playing baseball in high school & the years after graduation before drifting apart.
    Watching Billy come up through my senior year when we just missed the Section V championship, I marveled that with a flick of the wrist he could blow a pitch by a hitter or hit one over the fence, some so far they still may be going.
    Years after, Billy, Jim Roundtree (Fella), Don St John (Duck), myself (Goose), played some slow pitch & chase women.
    All good times remembered & forever held dear.

  26. Rick and Sharon Page on February 9, 2014 at 3:50 pm

    Gary,
    Sharon and I send our sincere condolences and prayers to you at this most difficult time. We often would pick up the Moose at your home and take him to our games. He was a solid team mate, a gifted athlete, and a good friend. I spent a lot of time with him when we were on the road playing softball. He had a heart of gold and was one of the kindest most genuine men I have ever met. Sharon and I have happily run into him many times at Top’s and had some great times playing “remember when!” He is in a better place Gary and now pain free. Bless him always!

  27. Max Robertson on February 11, 2014 at 11:35 pm

    Gary,
    You spoke from the heart about your love for your brother. I know where you get that from. Billy always spoke from the heart. He would have loved seeing all the guys who he played softball with and against who were at the church to pay their respects. Moose was my team mate on Castle Insurance, Castle-Mazzola, TJ’s and Ronnies. He was a friend to me, my wife and my little girls. They are 38 and 40 now and still have great memories of Billy. He had that affect on you. He’s with Joe Nucci, Pete Castle, Johnny Warren and so many others now. And I’m sure he has already hit one out of the park.
    God bless,
    Max Robertson

  28. Rich "Baco" Rokosz on February 19, 2014 at 6:18 am

    Wow…just sittin’ down here in Miami thinkin’ about a great team I once played for and a great guy (legend) who was my friend. Thought I’d google the name and this is what came up!
    Billy…(we all have our demons)…I only played with you one year…and partied with you…but you always treated me like your equal. You were a true legend to Rochester softball…but more than that someone who drew people to you ‘cuz you were just such a great guy.

  29. Rich "Baco" Rokosz on February 19, 2014 at 6:44 am

    Wow…just sittin’ down here in Miami thinkin’ about a great team I once played for and a great guy (legend) who was my friend. Thought I’d google the name and this is what came up!
    Billy…(we all have our demons)…I only played with you one year…and partied with you…but you always treated me like your equal. You were a true legend to Rochester softball…but more than that someone who drew people to you ‘cuz you were just such a great guy. Denny Warren will never forgive me for sending you home on that short single to left field.

  30. Paul (Jim) Hockenberry on February 25, 2014 at 12:00 am

    Gary,

    I’m sorry to hear about Billy. He was a great guy and we had some good times together. He’s in a better place now at the right hand of the Lord.

    Jimmy

  31. Gary Vogt on August 7, 2014 at 5:27 pm

    Gary,
    ..So sorry to learn of Billy’s early demise. I’ll never forget reading in the D&C of his high school pitching feats in the late ’50s and early ’60s. Not surprised to see that he is, and always will be, an HOFer.
    ..I was your age, and played on your team (either Cardinals or Suburban Roofing in the RHAA Grasshopper League), before moving to the city and continuing with the Southside Little League, Pony League, and Colt League programs.
    ..Have a great summer!! ………Gary & Linda Vogt………..

  32. roger pizzo on January 25, 2016 at 12:30 pm

    Thank you Billy for being the person that you were and the fantastic all around athlete that fulfilled your life.GOD BLESS YOU BILLY and know your in a great place now in heaven with Jesus. Roger Pizzo RH high school and worked with Billy at kodak were Billy bowled a perfect 300 game {in case you didn’t know}

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