William “Bill” Kurfees Rowland, Jr., 71, passed away peacefully on June 13, 2019. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on March 20, 1948 to William Kurfees Rowland, Sr. and Jeanne Bolen Rowland (Herd).
He grew up in Shelbyville, Indiana where he competed in many sports, starting with swim team at age 5. He attended Purdue University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering. He was a member and the Social chairman of Phi Delta Theta fraternity where he earned the legendary nickname “Mad Dog”, all while working several jobs simultaneously to pay for his education.
He met and married Diane (Folsom) Rowland and had two daughters, Angie and Becca.
Family was very important to Bill. He was passionate in the success of his career to provide well for his family. He was a hard worker and also enjoyed “playing hard”. He loved spending time with family, going on boating and fishing excursions, vacationing on cruises with family and friends, playing cards and Sudoku and enjoying the long standing tradition of Thursday night Mexican food and margaritas. He was an avid golfer throughout his life and into his retirement. His dream of living on the water was fulfilled in 1996 when he and Diane bought a waterfront home in Nassau Bay.
Bill was a Licensed Professional Engineer with the Texas Board of Professional Engineers. He began his career in Shelbyville, as an industrial engineer, and then moved with his family often as opportunities presented, first to California then Illinois, Nebraska, West Virginia, Mississippi, and then finally settled in Houston, Texas in 1983. He was a Project manager on many projects, mostly in the petrochemical field, one of the highlights of which was a yearlong assignment in Kurnell, Sutherland Shire, New South Wales, Australia. He and his wife Diane enjoyed the opportunity of getting to know Aussies and exploring nearby Sydney as well as other parts of Australia and New Zealand. He was also able to bring his family over for a memorable vacation.
Bill is survived by daughter Becca and husband Mark Withey (League City, TX), son-in-law Tim Dagley (Nassau Bay, TX), former wife, Diane Rowland (League City, TX), grandchildren Kyle and Jeremiah Dagley & Lily, Hunter and Torin Withey. He also leaves behind his beloved sister Jan (Mike) Asher and nephews Scott Asher (Christina) and Brian Asher (Lori) and their children (all of Shelbyville, IN), brother Rickey Herd (Carmel Valley, CA), Kimberley Mello (CA) and Michael (Rene) Smith (Tempe, AZ), as well as his Aunt Beverley Bolen (Nassau Bay) and cousins Steve Bolen (Debbie), David Bolen (Vickie) and Mark Bolen (Joan) all of the Houston area.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ross Rowland, daughter Angela Dagley and beloved uncle Bill Bolen, Stepfather Don Herd, and sister Donna Hunter.
A celebration of life will be held in his honor at OneLife Church at 3:00pm on Wednesday, June 19, 2019. The address is 16920 N Texas Ave, Webster, TX 77598.
His family would be delighted if donations, in lieu of flowers, were made in William’s name to: Light Heart Memory Care, 1615 Bowline Rd., Houston, TX 77062. Phone: 832-512-4216.
Special thanks to Light Heart Memory Care and Providence Hospice for their tender loving and excellent care in his final days.