More detail on this person:
ASHEVILLE-William C. Rousse, Brigadier General,
U.S. Army, retired, age 84, was alled to his new
home in Heaven on March 21, 2014 after a
courageous battle with cancer. His beloved wife
Marian (Mimi) lovingly cared for him as only she
could throughout the battle. In addition to his
wife, other surviving family members are his son
Curt, three grandchildren and two
great-grandchildren.
"The General" as he was known by the many, who
loved him deeply, grew up in Miami, Florida. He
was determined to be the first one in his family
to earn a college degree and in 1947 with $70 in
his pocket he enrolled at the University of
Florida; later during his Army career he earned a
Masters Degree in business. Bill joined the U. S.
Army in 1951 as a Private First Class. When he
retired in 1977, he held the rank of Brigadier
General and was directly responsible to manage
and direct all manpower and financial matters for
the army's largest overseas operation, comprising
of 183,000 troops.
He considered his greatest military honor and
achievement in being selected to lead the very
first air cavalry squadron (AirCav) in the U.S.
Army, the 1st Squadron, Ninth Cavalry. This
unit's combat mission was aerial reconnaissance to
locate the enemy units to be engaged with the
combat power of two Army divisions and two Marine
Divisions assigned to "I" Corps in the Northern
sector of South Vietnam. Bill helped study and
lead a new approach for the use of helicopters in
combat. William Rousse was highly decorated
during his military service, including Legion of
Merit (3 awards) Distinguished Flying Cross (2
awards), Air Medal (26 awards), and
the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry-Gold Palm.
Upon completion of his military career in 1977, he
joined The Office of the Commissioner of
Agriculture and Consumer Services for the State of
Florida as a State Cabinet member. After several
years he was involved in the citrus industry as
COO of American Agronomics and retired in 1987.
"The General" was an active member of Arden
Presbyterian Church. Those who met Bill were
struck by his kindness and humility. Everybody
wanted just a little time with "The General". He
always had a positive outlook and word to bring to
each situation. He was a source of inspiration and
encouragement. His loss will be deeply felt. He
met his beloved and precious wife, Marian (Mimi)
at their Miami Senior High 50th
reunion in 1997. They traveled for many years in
their motor homes, visiting every state in the
nation and Canada. Visitation is at Groce Funeral
Home at Lake Julian, 72 Long Shoals Road, Arden,
Friday evening, March 28 between 7 pm and 9 pm.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March
29 at 2 pm at Arden Presbyterian Church, 2215
Hendersonville Road, Arden, NC. Interment with
military rites will be held at 12 noon on Monday,
March 31 at the Western Carolina State Veterans
Cemetery in Black Mountain. The family requests in
lieu of flowers that donations be made to the
"Bill Rousse Landscape Beautification Fund" at
Givens Estates. Located at the Oxford
Commons
Meadow area. Bill loved his country and our
nations flag. This tribute will create a beautiful
area for reflection under the flag he loved so
dearly. Send your
tax-deductible gift to "Givens Estates Rousse
Memorial. 2360 Sweeten Creek Rd. Asheville NC
28803.
This information was last updated 05/22/2012
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