Billy C. Rowan, 77, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Monday, May 13, 2019, at his residence.
Funeral services will be held 10 AM, Saturday, May 18, 2019, at Crossview Baptist Church in Fitzgerald, with the Rev. Jeff Parmer officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery with full military honors. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Friday evening at the funeral home in Fitzgerald.
Mr. Rowan was born November 26, 1941, in Nashville, Georgia, to the late William Henry & Lula Hill Rowan. He served his country honorably in the United States Army for 26 years. He began his military career as a mechanic, then became a teacher, and finally retired as a First Sergeant. He was a member and past Commander of the American Legion, Mars McDonald Post 99 and a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Post 1082. Following his retirement, he worked at NAPA Auto Parts for 10 years then worked for Advance Auto Parts for 21 years. He was a member of Crossview Baptist Church where he was an usher and was active in the Golden Believers and the Brotherhood. He always enjoyed helping with Vacation Bible School, making sure everyone was kept safe and well fed.
He is survived by three children: Darlene Courtiade of Fitzgerald, Billy Rowan, Jr. of Owasa, Oklahoma, and Lisa & Al Mattos of Fitzgerald; grandchildren that he dearly loved: Sheay & Adam Grant of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Casey Rowan & Katie Horn of Owasa, Oklahoma, Wylee Dean of Fitzgerald, Mikey Rowan of Owasa, Oklahoma, Billie Marie Rowan of Fitzgerald, Evan Courtiade of Leavenworth, Kansas, Andruw Mattos of Fitzgerald, Erin Courtiade of Fitzgerald, Ella Mattos of Fitzgerald, and Nic Mattos of Fitzgerald; three great-grandchildren: Christopher Rigdon of Fitzgerald, Patrick Grant of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Gregory Grimes of Fitzgerald; and one brother, Joe Rowan of Nashville, Georgia. He was loved and will be greatly missed by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 50 years, Shelby Jean Rowan, in 2012.