James William “Bill” Rooks passed away in Jacksonville, Florida on Sunday, December 2, 2012 after a long battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held in Jacksonville, Florida on Tuesday, December 4, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation at 10:00 a.m. at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home on San Jose Blvd in Mandarin section of Jacksonville. Visitation will also be held at Bowen Donaldson Funeral Home at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 4, 2012, with interment at Oak Ridge Cemetery at 5:00 p.m.
Mr. Rooks was born on March 7, 1934 in Tifton and was the son of Willie Mae and Millard Rooks. He graduated from Tifton High School in 1952. Bill attended Georgia Teachers College (now Georgia Southern), Abraham Baldwin College and University of Georgia, Atlanta Campus (now Georgia State University).
Bill loved flying and earned several ratings from Aero Tech institute in Houston, Texas, including commercial pilot, multi-engine rating, instrument rating, and flight and ground instructor ratings. He was type-rated in several airplanes. He owned his own airplane and spent many happy hours in it. He served in the United States Army during the Korean conflict. He was employed by Sea World of Florida as Director of Food Services and was promoted to Vice President of Food Services on the Corporate Staff and was responsible for Food Services in all the parks. In 1987 Bill was promoted to President of the Ohio Sea World Company and remained in that position until he retired in 1994.
Bill felt that he had an obligation to give back to his industry and community organizations and was very active in them. He served as President of the Florida Restaurant Association and on the Board of Directors of the National Restaurant Association. He was selected as Salute’ Restaurateur of the year (1985) for the state of Florida. He also served several years on the board of the Florida Division of Hotels and Restaurants.
When he was transferred to Ohio, he served on several boards and as a city commissioner for the city of Aurora, Ohio. He and Judy retired in 1994 and moved to Little Piney Island, Fernandina, Florida. Bill was of the Baptist faith.
Mr. Rooks is survived by his wife, Judy Bell Rooks; son, James W. Rooks Jr. and wife Debbie; daughters, Janet E. Shave and Jennifer Williams; step-son, Robert Moore; sister, Susie Rooks and husband Frank; brother, Wilton and wife Diane; nine grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren.