William (Bill) Edward Rowe completed his journey to heaven on June 25, 2011. His memorial service will be held Saturday, July 9, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Cresson United Methodist Church in Cresson, Texas. To know Bill Rowe was to love Bill Rowe. He constantly gave of himself to all his family and friends. His quick wit and wonderful sense of humor charmed all those around him. He loved God, family, country and friends. Bill was born to Reginald and Louise Rowe in Delta, Colorado on June 23, 1934 and raised in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nebraska and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Dallas. Major (Retired) Bill Rowe was a Senior Aviator in the U.S. Army and was rated to fly multiple rotary wing aircraft. He was a trusted test pilot and accomplished combat flyer with 6000 hours—900 in combat. If MAJ(R) Rowe said the helicopter was ready to fly, his men knew they were ready for combat. In his 20 plus years in the Army, he served in Panama, Germany and multiple locations in the United States. He earned a Distinguished Flying Cross, three Bronze Stars and 22 air medals during his two combat tours in Vietnam. After retiring from the Army as a decorated combat aviator, Bill worked for Bell Helicopter (Textron) in Hurst, TX for 21 years. Upon retiring from Bell, he enjoyed his homes in Texas and the mountains of North Carolina. Married for 49 years to Jacquelyn Kay (Haislet) Rowe, Bill was blessed with five children. Beloved by his second wife Lynda (Smith) Rowe, Bill enjoyed sharing his joy of life with his family and friends. His many interests included extensive traveling, wood carving, hiking his beloved North Carolina mountains, playing golf and tennis and filling his Cresson yard with fun activities for his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Lynda (Smith) Rowe of Cresson, TX, and Sapphire Valley, NC, daughter Sheryl Bergquist and husband Craig, son Keith Rowe and wife Valerie, daughter Julie Pease, son Rusty Rowe and wife Susie, daughter Laura Renee Palmer, stepson Bill Wallace and wife Kelley and stepdaughter Lisa Wilson and husband Mark. His surviving siblings include: his brother, Dick Rowe and wife Donna, his brother Terry Rowe and wife Toni, and his sister, Susan Ginn. He is survived by 17 grandchildren, one great granddaughter and numerous adoring nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, please honor Bill’s memory with a contribution to the Cresson Methodist Church, c/o P.O. Box 161, Cresson, TX 76035 or to your favorite charity. Funeral services entrusted to http://www.MayfieldKiserFuneralHome.com/fort-worth/
26 Responses
What a special tribute to our very dear friend! We send our love and concern to each of you as you cope with the loss of your beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother. What wonderful memories he left with all of us.
Bill was such a good friend. We will miss him a lot.
Lynda,
You and all of Bill’s family are in my thoughts and prayers. It is a blessing to have known Bill at the Hilltop.
His life was filled with many blessings and his memory will always bring a smile and happy thoughts.
Take care and know that you and the family are loved and with God’s love you will find strength to make it through the days ahead.
Sincerely,
Jon
Bill was always such a fun guy to be around and he will be missed by so many.
Our love goes out to all of you at this time.
Blessings to all of you.
Ruth Ann & Max
Bill was a leader, a devoted father and husband, co-worker, and a gentleman. His gifts were many, memories will be cherished…the glint in his eye, the well-crafted quip and his tireless smile will be missed. He served his country, his family and his God. He was a special man.
…for even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
Bill is rejoicing in Heaven today. What a wonderful legacy of love and character he left his family and what a wonderful family he raised. It is an honor to have known such an inspirational man and to know this wonderful family. I know that God said to Bill, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
He was the sweetest grandpa a girl could have! My childhood is full of memories and blessings from this wonderful man. He was always there to teach, encourage, and provide a laugh. I will never forget how he cared for our family and loved us all with such Christlike compassion and grace. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.
Bill was a wonderfull man,life of the
party.
a blessing to have in our Church Family.
Wonderful tribute to a loving, kind, and gentle man and a true hero in our eyes and in the eyes and hearts of so many. Rest in Peace Mr. Rowe!
Daryl & Sandy Wicker
Our prayers and thoughts go out to all your family.
Julie, Kyle, Jackie & family,
What a great man of many accomplishments your Dad & grandad was! But most of all I’m sure it was his family that was his greatest. So glad he was a disciple of Christ and that we have God’s promises to lead us through these tough losses. Praying for your peace and healing through your grief.
Dear Julie, Jackie and Kyle….just knowing the goodness, compassion, and love in the three of you is a testament to the one who led his family by example. As Barbie said, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” Should we all be blessed enough to have the Lord proclaim this when we enter Heaven. I love you!
Dear Lynda and Family;
Our prayers go out to your family. May God’s Grace and Peace be with you during the coming days.
In God’s Love.
Doug and Karen Lipscomb
Boynton Beach, Fl
(Brother-in-law & Sister-in-law to Dick Rowe)
Brother Bill was a lifetime inspiration to me. He was someone that I always looked up to and wanted to be like, his success in the Army and Bell Helicopter, and his life in general. Bill was a man that was able to place a part of himself in the hearts and souls of everyone he met. His was quick witted and his storytelling ability would make anyone that spent more than 10 minutes listening to him tell a short story walk with a smile on their face and love in their hearts. Brother Bill is at rest with the Lord now and it’s time to rejoice his wonderful life. God Bless you Lynda and thank you for falling in love with Bill and taking such great care of him. God bless you Bill, we miss you very much.
Lynda,
Thanks for all the love, laughs and caring you shared with my dear sweet brother Bill. And for taking such good care of him all along.
I have nothing but good memories of Bill and how he was there for me so many times when I was raising my 3 kids on my own. He was like a second dad to them. I will never forget you Bill and miss you so much, but know you are in Jesus’care now. Love, sister Sue
Dear Lynda;
I remember Bill as a very lovable man. May the Peace and Joy of Jesus Christ be with each of your family.
In the name of Jesus, GG Kenyon
Lavon Kenyon
(Mother-in-Law to Dick Rowe)
Boynton Beach, Fl
Julie, I am so sorry to hear about your dad. It was an inspiration to read about his life and love. What a blessing to have him for your father. Treasure all your wonderful memories and embrace the peace from your heavenly father and know someday you will rejoice with your dad once again. Our love and prayers are with you and your family. Vel & Steve Mills
Lynda, we knew Bill such a short time, but
we were blessed by his smile and positive, Christ-like testimony to those around him.
He will be greatly missed. You are in our thoughts and prayers. John and Johnnie Goforth
Bill was a light in our lives and we will surely miss him but know he is in a better place and we will see him again. Lynda, we have been blessed with a very precious family and are happy you are a part of it. Our love and blessings to you and all the children. Dick and Donna
Bill and I were roommates in Vietnam during our first tours over there. We shared many hours of combat flying as well as exchanging thoughts and fond memories of our families and younger years. I bid fond farewell to an outstanding soldier and close friend. Lynda, and your family, remember that “The Rose Still Grows Beyond the Wall”. God bless you all. Carter Brooks
The harvest of Bill’s life has been priceless and plentiful because he found wisdom in this world. He understood the real meaning of life and love and was a true gift to us all.
To Lynda and Bill’s family: We were sorry to learn of Bill’s passing. He was one of a kind: gentle, caring,intelligent and loving toward all.
Bill was blessed to have a wonderful family he loved so much as well as both Jackie and Lynda. His faith was evident in his everyday life and we were proud to have known him. God bless you in your grief.
He is missed in the mountains!
I was with D Troop in 1968/69 so I only met Bill for the first time at the 2010 Light Horse reunion. It was a pleasure to have known him, if only for a few days. Thank you for paving the way for those of us who followed you, Bill. You are not forgotten my brother.
Bill Rowe will always be remembered by many that he touched during his life. A man of strong leadership ,..yet with a fun touch of humor too. A special man, loved by many. Thank you for sharing him with us !
We will all miss him so much. Such a great man, and a great family.
Bill Rowe was typical of the kind of men I served with in Vietnam. God bless him.