William Christopher “Bill†Roche, Sr. of Springfield, Virginia passed away on
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 from complications of both Lewy Body dementia and severe spinal stenosis. Born in Newburyport, Massachusetts on November 7, 1952, Bill spent his early years there before moving with his family to Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1959 and finally settling in Springfield, Virginia in 1962. Bill was self-taught musician in his youth and performed at Catholic Folk Masses and other small venues. His love for music and memory of lyrics never waned. He leaves his siblings, Francis D. Roche, Marianne Hobbs, Peter T. (Catherine), Michael T. (Barbara), James E and Thomas P. Roche.
Bill married Kathleen Arthur Roche in 1981, and they were blessed with three children: Caitlin Sheltry Roche (deceased), William Christopher Roche, Jr. (Kelly), and Sarah Theresa Roche. He found great joy in being “Pop Pop†to Emma Louise Roche and Cecilia Marie Roche. Bill was also known as the “fun†uncle to many nieces and
nephews.
Bill earned a Bachelor of Arts from George Mason University. He spent most of his
career in sales, where he was known for his ability to connect with everyone he met.
Bill will be remembered for his warm and generous heart, his sharp sense of humor, his Irish heritage, and his deep devotion to his faith. He spent a great deal of his time
volunteering in the community and was awarded Volunteer of the Year for OAR, a local non-profit restorative justice organization. Bill assisted families of justice-involved individuals, such as arranging visits and providing support.
Bill was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal service
organization that supports charitable and social welfare. Before the opening of his
parish, St. Raymond of Penafort, Bill spent many Saturday evenings setting up chairs
for Mass at the local fire station and later served as an usher for many years.
Bill’s family will cherish memories of the many hours he spent teaching them how to
fish, his enthusiastic support for the Washington Nationals, and his love for animals.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Raymond of Penafort Catholic
Church on Wednesday, December 3rd at 12:00 P.M. followed by a reception in the
Church Hall.
Bill took great joy in helping his granddaughter Emma attend Angelus Academy, a Catholic school whose strong faith-based values reflect the principles he cherished throughout his life. He was proud to know that the same devotion to faith and integrity that guided his own path would be nurtured in the next generation. |