Obituary for William Frank Rowland
William Frank Rowland, Sr. 90, of Manistee, MI passed away peacefully February 12, 2021. Bill was preceded in death by his daughter Linda Irish and is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary (Phillips) Rowland as well as 4 children, Diane (Greg) Schmid, Karen (Mike) Lemon, Mary B (Scott) David and Bill (Teresa) Rowland, 16 grandchildren, many great and great great grandchildren.
Bill was born to William George Rowland and Edith Virginia (Donald) Rowland in Detroit, on August 29, 1930, the fourth of four children. His siblings, George, Vi and Bert all preceded him in death.
Bill was a proud member of the Sheet Metal Workers Local 80 and the UAW. He was a metal model maker at Ford Motor Company for 25 years, having learned his skill as he proudly served in the Army Air Corps, later to become the U. S. Air Force. Some of his later Ford years were spent working with his son, Bill Jr.
Bill enjoyed painting, cartooning, woodworking often making customized walking sticks for friends and loved ones. Bill loved music and enjoyed singing (often very old tunes his father sang), dancing, playing the guitar and performing with The Goodtime Band during his retirement in Sevierville, TN. While in Tennessee he and Mary attended First Presbyterian Church in Sevierville where he served as an elder for 12 years.
Bill’s kind heart and gentle spirit will forever be fondly remembered as husband, Dad, Papa, a “pal” and “one of the good guys” to so many.
A family service will be held at a later date at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Mi.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org or Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org would be appreciated.
Please feel free to share a memory or photo with the family at www.oakgrovefh.com. The family has entrusted funeral arrangements with Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center of Manistee.
Bill was born to William George Rowland and Edith Virginia (Donald) Rowland in Detroit, on August 29, 1930, the fourth of four children. His siblings, George, Vi and Bert all preceded him in death.
Bill was a proud member of the Sheet Metal Workers Local 80 and the UAW. He was a metal model maker at Ford Motor Company for 25 years, having learned his skill as he proudly served in the Army Air Corps, later to become the U. S. Air Force. Some of his later Ford years were spent working with his son, Bill Jr.
Bill enjoyed painting, cartooning, woodworking often making customized walking sticks for friends and loved ones. Bill loved music and enjoyed singing (often very old tunes his father sang), dancing, playing the guitar and performing with The Goodtime Band during his retirement in Sevierville, TN. While in Tennessee he and Mary attended First Presbyterian Church in Sevierville where he served as an elder for 12 years.
Bill’s kind heart and gentle spirit will forever be fondly remembered as husband, Dad, Papa, a “pal” and “one of the good guys” to so many.
A family service will be held at a later date at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Mi.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org or Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org would be appreciated.
Please feel free to share a memory or photo with the family at www.oakgrovefh.com. The family has entrusted funeral arrangements with Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center of Manistee.