Msgr. William A. Roach - 1921-1986

ROACH, HOULAHAN, KNIGHT, DESSEL, BILY, ASH

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 2/3/2011 at 14:42:50

SOURCE: Waukon, Iowa WAUKON DEMOCRAT April 17, 1986
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Not related)

The Rt. Rev. Msgr. William A. Roach, age 65, pastor of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Waukon, Iowa from 1979 to 1984 and an assistant pastor here from 1945 to 1947, died of injuries received in a car-semi accident near the Dubuque County, Iowa airport Wednesday evening, April 9, 1986. Funeral services were held Saturday morning April 12 at Holy Family Church with the Most Rev. Francis Dunn, Dubuque, officiating. Burial was in Mount Calvary Cemetery in West Union, Iowa. Hoffman-Schneider Funeral Home of Dubuque, Iowa was in charge of arrangements.

Father Roach was serving as pastor of St. Joseph's of Prairie and Holy Family Church at New Melleray, both of rural Dubuque, Iowa at the time of his death. In addition to his two stays in Waukon, Msgr. Roach served parishes in Cascade, Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, Oxford Junction, and Key West. He also served as secretary to the archbishop from 1951 to 1952, studied canon law in Rome from 1952-55 and was chancellor of the archdiocese from 1955 to 1960.

William A. Roach was born February 2, 1921 in Mason City, Iowa but grew up in West Union, Iowa. He was the son of Joseph and Julia (Houlahan) Roach. He was a graduate of Loras College and was ordained in Dubuque on July 28, 1945.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 2 brothers John and Joseph Roach.

He is survived by 5 sisters: Mary Knight, Catherine Dessel, and Ruth Roach, all of West Union, Iowa, Ilene Bily of Livermore, California, and Elizabeth "Liz" Ash of Elgin, Iowa; 4 brothers, Thomas Roach of Dubuque, Iowa, Mark Roach of Des Moines, Iowa, Matthew "Mick" Roach of West Union, Iowa and Patrick Roach of Des Moines, Iowa.

Fayette Obituaries maintained by Constance Diamond.
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