WILLIAM KENNETH (KEN) ROLLER

William Kenneth (Ken) Roller completed his life’s journey on Friday, August 15, 2025, his precious wife Lila and his children at his side. Born December 19, 1928, he was the first child of William Clinton (Clint) Roller and Lola Mae (Wilson) Roller of Mounds, OK.  

Ken graduated from Glenpool (OK) High School in 1945; attended University of Tulsa and Kansas State Teachers College (Pittsburg, KS); graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University (Shawnee, OK) in 1966; and attended Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Kansas City). He received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Southwest Baptist University (Bolivar) in 2008. 

Ken met his first love, Orva (Connie) Slaughter, in 1948 at a Moonlight Dance at Kansas State Teachers College, where they were both attending summer classes. They were married in a double wedding along with Connie’s sister Mary Slaughter and Richard Schott on May 29, 1949. Ken and Connie eventually moved to Corwin, KS, where they lived and taught school until 1953, when they moved to Perryton, TX, for Ken to take a position as a Broadcaster at KEYE radio station. While they were in Perryton attending Key Heights Baptist Church, Ken felt called to the ministry, and he and Connie spent the remainder of their lives walking hand-in-hand in service to God. 

 While his career path took many turns and detours, his job choices always exemplified his love of God, his beautiful self-taught radio voice, his selfless passion for ministering to those around him, and his rare talent of never forgetting a name. His many roles included: Teacher, Oswego, KS and Corwin, KS 1945-1953; Radio Broadcaster, KEYE, Perryton, TX 1953-1955; Record store owner, Oklahoma City, 1955-1956; Radio Broadcaster, Altus, OK,1956; General Manager at KEYE, 1957- 1965; Army Reserve, seven years during Korean War; KGGF Broadcaster, Shawnee, OK, 1965-66; Youth and Music Minister Romulus Baptist Church, OK, 1965-66; KCCV Radio Station in Kansas City, 1966-1968; Pastor, Dean Lake Baptist Church and Hurricane Baptist Church, 1967-1968; Pastor, Green Ridge Baptist Church, 1968-1971; Pastor Lockwood First Baptist Church, 1971-1976; Board of Managers of the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home during the mid-70’s; Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church of Decorah, IA, 1976-77; Pastor, Seymour First Baptist Church, 1978-1981; Pastor, Lamar First Baptist Church, 1981-1989; Pastor, Cedar Gap Baptist Church, Cedar Gap,1989-1993; Broadcaster, KTRI, Mansfield,1989-1990; Pastor, Marianas Guam Baptist Church, 1994-1995; Pastor, Dadeville Baptist Church, 1995-2004.  

Ken retired from the ministry in 2004 to care for Connie, who suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease until her death on July 13, 2008, after more than 59 years of marriage. 

He found his second love, Lila West, at a 60th Anniversary reception for mutual friends in Lamar, seeing a former acquaintance in a new light. With Kenna’s encouragement, he called Lila a few months later, and they began to date. They were married at Sharon Baptist Church, east of Greenfield, on November 28, 2009. They have since lived in Lockwood, enjoying their retirement attending church at First Baptist, leading Bible studies at the Good Shepherd Community Care & Rehabilitation, and traveling to as many ballgames, school events, weddings and birthday parties of their combined 100-plus grandchildren and great-grandchildren as is humanly possible. It would be impossible to calculate how many birthday/graduation/wedding cards/thank-you notes, etc., that he sent to his beloved children/stepchildren/grand-children/in-laws/nieces and nephews throughout their lives, but it wouldn’t be ridiculous to suggest that not only his family, but the United States Postal Service will miss him dearly!  

His passion for travel and adventure took him to places near and far, including frequent trips to Branson for get-aways with Lila, to family car trips, to mission trips, and even to an extended stay of nearly two years in Guam, to name a few. In his final week, he flew to Connecticut with John and Rebecca to visit Doug’s family in New Haven. His bags were always packed and ready to go! 

Ken was preceded in death by his wife Connie; his parents; his sister, Barbara Jean Jackson; and his brother John Allen Roller.

He is survived by his wife, Lila; son, William Douglas (Doug) and spouse Linda of New Haven, CT; daughter Kenna Bishop and husband Steve of Republic; son John and wife Rebecca of Dadeville; son James (Jim) and wife Renee of Bolivar; daughter Jane and husband Jimmy of Raytown; step-daughter Beverly Scopel and husband Tom of St. Louis; step-daughter Carol Farell and husband Joe of St. Louis; step-daughter Diane Schrader and husband Bill of Lockwood; and step-daughter Marcia Lilienkamp and husband Bruce of Lockwood. Ken’s grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren were the icing (and the ice cream) on his cake! 

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, August 21 at First Baptist Church of Dadeville. A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, August 22 at First Baptist Church of Dadeville. A private burial will be at a later date in the Dadeville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be shared at www.greenfieldfuneralchapel.com.  Services are under the care of Greenfield Funeral Chapel.