William H. Rowley, Jr.

              William Hugh “Bill” Rowley, Jr., 91, of Blairsville, PA passed away on Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at the home of his son, where he had been residing for the past nine months.           He was born August 23, 1925 in Blairsville, PA and was the son of, William H. Rowley, Sr., and Maude (Reed) Rowley.           Bill was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, Blairsville, Acacia Lodge #355 F&AM, Blairsville, Jaffa Shrine, Coudersport Consistory, Blairsville VFW Post #5821 and American Legion Post #0407. As a member of the Shriners, Bill belonged to the Little Vets Club and loved driving in parades. Bill’s second love was his camp in Troutville, where he spent most of his free time.           He was a WWII veteran having served in the United States Navy from November 1943 to January 1946. Bill returned home and married “the best thing that ever happened to him” Betty June Houser on April 3, 1947 and they lived together in Blairsville for 59 years.           Bill retired from Blairsville Machine Products Company after working for 33 years.           Surviving are two children, George L. (Donna) Rowley of Blairsville and Bonnie Blasco (George Cobb) of Derry; four grandchildren, Cynthia Ann (Jeff) Bonniger of Erie; Dr. Scott (Kristy) Rowley of Indiana; Shawn (Lacey) Blasco of DuBois and Aaron (Rebecca) Blasco of New Derry; five great-grandchildren, Nick and Justin Bonniger; Carter and Mason Blasco and Aiden Rowley.           He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Betty June (Houser) Rowley on July 27, 2006 two brothers, Bobby and George Rowley and a sister, Nina Jane Rowley and his mother-in-law, Letha Houser.           The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P.M. Friday at the Shoemaker Funeral Home, Inc., 49 N. Walnut St., Blairsville, PA. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday at the funeral home with Rev. Timothy R. Monroe officiating.           Interment will be in Blairsville Cemetery, Blairsville.           The family would like to especially thank Dawn Henry and Melissa Jennings from Excela Health Home Care and Hospice of Westmoreland County for the care they provided to Bill.           The family requests memorial contributions in Bill’s name to the United Presbyterian Church, 137 N. Walnut St., Blairsville, PA 15717, Excela Health Home Care and Hospice, 134 Industrial Park Road, Suite 1600 Greensburg, PA 15601 or to a charity of your choice.           A Masonic service will be held in the funeral home on Friday at 7:00 P.M.           Military services will be accorded by the Blairsville VFW Post #5821 and the American Legion Post #0407. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William H. Rowley, Jr., please visit our flower store.