Time For Memory

W S Rosser

1924 - 2013

W S "Unkie" Rosser, age 88, passed away Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont from complications of pneumonia.

W S was born December 6, 1924 in Call to William S and Fannie Lou Bishop Rosser and was a lifelong resident of Silsbee.

W S was exceedingly well-known in Silsbee. He worked at the Palace Theater and then at the Pines Theater for over 65 years, and knew almost every child who ever saw a movie there. By the time he retired, he was overseeing their grandchildren and great-grandchildren when they came to the movies. He walked to work and back home almost every day and only rarely would accept rides, although everyone would offer.

Unkie was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers William, Neff and Norman Rosser and sisters Mattie Harrington, Doris Holt, Inez Grisham and Althea Paramore.

He is survived by his sisters Norma Wallace and Emma Lou Brownlee, both of Silsbee; nephews and nieces, Norman Wallace amd wife Susan, Sharon Wornick and husband Gary, Joyce Marie Paramore, Jerry Grisham, Ronald Grisham, Donald Grisham, Linda O'Dell, Pat Grisham, Martha Lou Baker, Becky Lawrence, Jan Kelley and Renee Monday; great niece Keely Gore and husband John and great-great niece and the light of his life, Kenedi Page Gore, as well as many, many other nieces, nephews, great-and great-great nieces and nephews.

Unkie was not just our 'Unkie', we were fortunate to be able to share him with all of Silsbee and the surrounding area. He will be missed by many and remembered fondly for his thousands and thousands of miles walking up and down the aisles of the Pines keeping many a movie-goer in line with a "Shhh", "No feet on back of chair" or "stop running"!

Visitation will begin at 5:00 pm Friday at Farmer Funeral Home. Graveside services will be 10:00 am Saturday, March 23, 2013 at Resthaven Cemetery in Silsbee.

There are currently 23 condolences.

Linda jackson bowen Lbowen3048@verizon.net Sunday March 24, 2013 at 8:47 PM
W.S was the hardest working man in town. He helped so many kids. Taught us how to behave in public He was my friend. Love and miss him.

Sneed Saturday March 23, 2013 at 11:16 PM
we will miss W S at the flower shop across the street. He came and talked to us all the time, we will miss him.He was a special person to us. AND the Popcorn was good too. .If we needed a brake he said bring your sack and come across the street. He would also watch out for us at night when we worked late.He will be missed.

Melanie Tennison Goetsell Saturday March 23, 2013 at 3:39 PM
My my. Silsbee has lost another icon. I, too, grew up seeing him at the Pines, my whole life. He was known by so many here, and for so long. He will be missed.

William Miller Friday March 22, 2013 at 10:56 PM
I am sorry for your loss, he was a kind man and will be missed. The Pines was always a great place to go as a kid and stayed that way even as an adult. He made the place great in my opinion.

Carrie Roach Rashall Friday March 22, 2013 at 8:06 PM
I am so sorry for your loss. WS was a wonderful person and a good boss to work for back in 1964-1965 when I worked with him at the Pines, he had his own way of training us and I guess I will always remember him fondly. May God help fill the empty places he will surely be leaving in his family.

Debbie Davis robbdeb@verizon.net Friday March 22, 2013 at 5:49 PM
We will all miss Mr. Rosser. We knew him well. We spent so much time at the Picture Show and he was always there for us. I don't know how he kept his cool with the crowds on Saturday afternoon Kiddie Show running up and down aisles and in long lines for his wonderful popcorn. Some years back he let me take my kids to sit in the balcony and watch a movie from there. We felt so special that he let us do that. We were blessed by having known him. Our prayers are with you Sharon and Mrs. Brownlee.

Jo K. Irvine Friday March 22, 2013 at 5:37 PM
Love, prayers, and deepest sympathy going out to the family. Even tho I didn't personally know Mr. Rosser (or 'Unkie' as my friend Keely called him), I always knew that--when he was manager at the Pines--I could go to the theater and enjoy the movie, without having to worry about any unruly kids in the audience disrupting things!! It was always a comfort seeing him walking up and down the aisles.. Heaven has gained a great man!

Judy Apshire Stewart stewartbr549@msn.com Friday March 22, 2013 at 5:02 PM
WS was my first boss. Started working for him at the Pines at the age of 14. He treated everybody with respect and never showed partiality. He will be missed.

Anita Rogers Price Friday March 22, 2013 at 3:44 PM
Mr. Rosser was my first boss as well. He was my friend. We will miss you WS. Many Prayers to the family. He left life lessons with a small town in Southeast Texas and many surrounding areas. Another Angel watching over us.

Susan Collins Friday March 22, 2013 at 1:40 PM
Ms. Emma-Lou, Sharon and family. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I will keep you all in my heart and pray for the strength to help you through the most diffucult days to come.

Ada Riley Friday March 22, 2013 at 11:20 AM
I am so very sorry for your loss we spent our childhood and teen years at the Pines,we loved him dearly. Every Saturday we would come at 11 and stay until 7. He taught us how to behave in public

TAB FERGUSON Friday March 22, 2013 at 10:20 AM
Back in the day, me and my sister and brothers spent many Saturdays at the Pines, where we sometimes paid with 5 coke caps! Mom dropped us off & picked us up afterwards, and never had a minute's worry about us. She knew that if we acted up, Mr. Rosser would let her know. RIP WS, you deserve it!! You helped raise thousands of area children!

Jackie Whitehead Friday March 22, 2013 at 9:24 AM
If no one else taught us manners as a kid, WS sure did...SHHH, feet off the back of the seats and stop running. He became somewhat of an icon in Silsbee. I know I will cherish my memories of WS and the Pines theater. My condolences to his family.

Amy Strother Friday March 22, 2013 at 7:33 AM
I used to see WS all the time when he still worked at the theater. He would always make a point to talk to me and ask about my kids and give me a big hug. I truly loved that man. I haven't got to see him in a couple of years now. I will miss him dearly.

Christi Pickering Crain Friday March 22, 2013 at 7:05 AM
I will never forget my Uncle Dewey Odom taking me to my first Movie where I met Unkie in 1974!! For over 8 years we made weekly visits to watch movies... And every time he greeted us personally and he always made sure I had a box of sweet tarts tucked in my pocket!! As I grew up from my first movie at age 4, I'm blessed to have been great friends with Keely Wallace Gore, and had many many chances away from the theatre to visit with Unkie and hear history of Silsbee and the theatre! My last visit with him was at his home where he shared with me his first memory of me before I was two! I only wish I could remember that, but I am grateful for the many memories as well as the many times he allowed me to drive him home in the rain!!! My dad, Robert Pickering, passed away the same day as Unkie! I'm so grateful they shared the joyful walk through Heaven's golden gates!! Our thoughts and prayers go out to you... May God wrap you in His arms and fill your hearts with peace!

Jessica Burkett jessicarburkett@gmail.com Friday March 22, 2013 at 12:51 AM
WS was my very fist Boss at the Pines theater. I loved working there and enjoyed our nightly chocolate shakes from sonic in between ticket sales. He taught me a lot about customer service and care. The Pines has not been the same without him at all. Thanks for giving me a chance and my first job WS, you will be missed.

Marian B. Friday March 22, 2013 at 12:00 AM
You have been and will forever be missed. The Pines Theater has never been the same since you left.

Phyllis Griffith armypgriff2011@hotmail.com Thursday March 21, 2013 at 11:11 PM
I have such wonderful memories of Unkie. He will be a shining light in my memory forever. You will be missed by many.

Robert Cheek Thursday March 21, 2013 at 10:27 PM
Silsbee will not be the same without him....RIP

Courtney Landry Thursday March 21, 2013 at 7:45 PM
I worked for WS when I was in high school. He was one amazing man. He definitely made a lasting impression on myself as well as anyone who ever went to the Pines or even passed him walking down the road and stopped to chat. Prayers to the family during this time. I will always have fond and very laughable memories of WS. May he rest in peace.

Linda Kelley Bridges Thursday March 21, 2013 at 5:20 PM
Dear family of W.S. Words cannot express how Silsbee will not be the same without W.S. He was Mr.Pines Theatre where we all made lifelong memories. W.S was always there and kept all of us in line and safe. He will be missed so very much. Mr prayers are with you as you mourn such a vital important part of so many people's lives.

Pat Richardson (Pantego, Texas) Thursday March 21, 2013 at 4:51 PM
So many pleasant memories. The world would be a much better place with more people like W S.

Bud Cowart Thursday March 21, 2013 at 4:32 PM
I'll bet Mr.W S could have written a book about his experiences at The Pines. As kids, we knew that when he walked down the aisle with a flashlight, we'd better straighten up. He will be a part of Silsbee's history forever and I am proud to have known him.

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