Tampa Bay is saying goodbye to a hero. Willie Rogers died at the age of 101 on Saturday from complications from a stroke. He was the oldest living member of the original Tuskegee Airman. Rogers served in the U.S. Military when it was still segregated. Rogers was living in St. Petersburg with family since the 1940’s.
St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman tweeted out a message that read in part “Rest In Peace our friend.”
Rest in peace, our friend - St. Pete's 2015 Honored Veteran and Tuskegee Airman, 101 year-old Willie Rogers. pic.twitter.com/Pex9wuSTyi
— Rick Kriseman (@Kriseman) November 19, 2016
In 2007, Rogers was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal from President George W. Bush.
Funeral services for Rogers are set for November 27th at noon at Bethel AME Church, 912 3rd Avenue N., St. Petersburg.
