Billy Lee Rowden 1932-2012

Billy Lee Rowden, the only child of Everett Glen and Gladys (Anderson) Rowden, was born March 8, 1932 in Big Piney, Missouri. Shortly after his birth, Billy’s mother passed away. He grew up in the Big Piney area and graduated from Waynesville High School in 1949.

As a young man, Billy made a very important decision in his life. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and was baptized. He was a faithful member of the First Christian Church for over 50 years. You could find him at church every time the doors were open as long as his health permitted.

Billy was united in marriage to Mary Ann Rodabaugh on January 21, 1955. They shared many wonderful years and memories together until she preceded him in death in 1988.

In his working years, Billy was a business man. He owned and operated a garage, was a used car dealer and later on became a cab driver. He enjoyed meeting and working with people and visiting. He could tell a lot of stories about the Waynesville area and the people in the community.

In his spare time, Billy enjoyed playing checkers, watching baseball and golf and was a pretty good pool player. He was a member of the Waynesville Masonic Lodge #375 AF & AM and also the Lions Club.

Billy will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by all those that knew and loved him. He passed away at 1:15 a.m. Tuesday, January 31, 2012 in the Harry S Truman Memorial Veteran’s Hospital, of Columbia, Missouri after a long fight with cancer. He had attained the age of 79 years, 10 months and 23 days.

Billy leaves to cherish his memory his 3 children: Margaret Ann Arrington (Danny) of St. Robert, MO, Melvin Lee Rowden (Sharon) of Waynesville, MO and George L. Ruckman (Patrice) of Crocker, MO; 4 grandchildren: Julie Peine, Rebecca Posten, Robin Lyn Rowden and Danny Arrington, Jr.; 7 great grandchildren: Garrett, Sawyer and Abigail Posten, Cecilia, Johnathan and Victoria Piene and Destinee Haggard; and a host of friends.

In addition to his mother and wife, Billy was preceded in death by his father, E.G. (Glen) Rowden (1980) and longtime friend, Jo Powell (2011).

Services were held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 3, 2012 in the First Christian Church of Waynesville with Gary Holt officiating. Becky Lercher sang “What A Friend We Have in Jesus”, “Amazing Grace” and “Come to Jesus”. Serving as escorts were Greg Posten, Garrett Posten, John Peine, Danny Arrington, Jr., Larry Childers and Pete Cruz. Serving as honorary escorts were Roy Nichols, Dave Teufel, Ed Price and Phil Hayes.

Burial followed in the Waynesville Memorial Park Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert.