On March 28, 1951, William and MaryEllen Rowe welcomed their third child, William “Bill” Joseph Rowe into the world. Bill was born into a large family as one of 9 siblings in Manhattan, Kansas. During his early years growing up, his mother and father instilled in him the things we would all come to know him by, his immense kindness, love, and respect for everyone around him. Bill has always been an extremely hard worker and got his first job at the age of 12 years old as a paper boy in the Kansas City, Kansas area.
Bill always had a love for sports. In high school he was a tight end on the football team, played baseball, and started boxing as well. This was a sport he excelled in. He won the Kansas City Golden Gloves Championship in the Light-Heavy Weight division in 1969. He graduated from Turner High School in Kansas City, Kansas that same year. After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy. He served his time on Guam and worked as a jet mechanic on an aircraft carrier. He was able to participate in Navy boxing matches as well. Bill became a Petty Officer as a jet mechanic where he worked on jet engines and helicopters on the flight deck.
After serving his country, Bill moved to the San Diego area to become a Federal Civil Servant at North Island Naval Air Station in San Diego, California. In the late 70’s he moved back to the Kansas City area where his developing interest in engineering and technology lead him to work for the Bendix Plant. The name on the building may have changed many times over the years: Bendix, Allied Signal, and finally Honeywell, but what never changed was his commitment to doing his best work, day in and day out.
Bill loved anything that was an individual sport and was a very good bowler. Remember I said he excelled at everything? He carried a 200+ average and was a manager at the King Louie West bowling alley where he could practice bowling for free. It was at this time the eventual love of his life would catch his eye at the bowling alley in 1981. Valerie was on a “singles” bowling league where he saw her and knew he had to join the league! Bill and Valerie got married in 1983 and were inseparable. They were married for 39 years, and their 40th was coming up this February.
A few years after Bill and Valerie had been married, Valerie gave birth to Erica Nichole Rowe in 1988. Erica instantly became the light of Bill’s life. She was wrapped around his little finger, and he would do anything for her. Erica was his #1 fishing partner, and he was her biggest supporter. Erica met her husband Lucas Coy in 2008 and shortly after being married gave Bill and Valerie their first of 3 precious grandchildren, Kyler, Cassidy, and Kinley.
Bill had a deep and abiding faith in the Lord, and people could tell just by his demeanor that he was a believer. He was always involved in activities at his church and served on many different committees, including being a lay pastor. In 2001 he and Valerie attended “The Walk to Emmaus” which was a life changing experience for him as he drew closer to God and the calling for his life.
Bill retired in 2018 after working at Honeywell for 39 years. After retirement, Bill couldn’t wait to spend more time enjoying his second love, fishing. He said, “A bad day fishing is better than a good day working!”. He was addicted to the sport, but his passion was bass fishing. He was able to combine his faith with his number one hobby and joined the Men of Honor Bass Club where he was a member for many years and made many friends. When he wasn’t fishing in a tournament, he could usually be found fishing on Prairie Lee Lake, his favorite local spot to go. After retiring, he fished in tournaments almost every weekend. Bill didn’t know a stranger on any dock or ramp that he ever launched from. He used his boat as a way of ministering to people, sometimes inviting complete strangers to jump in to fish with him.
Bill entered eternal life on January 12th and was preceded in death by his parents, William and MaryEllen Rowe, sister Phyllis Mary Rowe, and brother John Rowe (Ronna). He is survived by his wife Valerie, daughter Erica Coy (Lucas); siblings Steve Rowe (Francie), Thelma Rowe, Viola Riggin (David), Rita Bodily (Allen), Hilda Hrenchir (Ed), Dan Rowe (Lori); grandchildren, Kyler, Cassidy, Kinley, and countless nieces and nephews. Bill suggests in lieu of flowers or donations, simply tell a friend or stranger they are loved in the eyes of God and have value in His creation.
Services will be on Wednesday January 25, 2023 at Woods Chapel United Methodist Church located at 4725 NE Lakewood Way, Lee's Summit, MO 64064. Service times are Visitation from 1:00-2:00 and Celebration of life from 2:00-3:00
