William Lewis Rowe

William L. Rowe Bill Rowe of Fort Jones passed away on March 14, 2016 in Yreka. He was 89 years old. Bill was born to Harry Sylvester and Mattie Reynolds Rowe in Council Bluffs, Iowa in 1927. During the Depression, Bill’s father lost everything and moved his family to Omaha, Nebraska to rent an apartment and find a job with the WPA. Bill attended high school there and he became a trombone player. He was so good that when the big bands like Tommy Dorsey came to town, they asked him to play a set or two with them. After he graduated in 1944, he and his best friends joined the Navy. After going through several training schools, he chose the Seabees. He was sent to Guam and the Philippines to construct fuel depots. After the war, he returned to Omaha where he married and had a son, Steven. In 1950 he decided to move to Los Angeles to be near his sister. In 1951 he joined the Los Angeles City Fire Department and in 1952 he had a daughter, Christine. As a widower in 1960, Bill married Viola Hatvany. Bill earned many promotions during the 1960’s and became a Battalion Chief. In 1973, Bill and Viola retired to their property in Fort Jones where they built their dream home. On June 23, 1977, Bill became a Master Instructor of Fire Services Training. A few years later Dr. Schumacher, President of the College of the Siskiyous found out Bill lived in the area and asked him to join COS to set up a Fire Science Academy. Bill became the Director of Vocational Education and retired 16 years later. He then won the election for the Board of Trustees and served for 16 more years. Bill enjoyed reading books and always looked forward to cross word puzzles. He was an encyclopedia of information. Bill always looked forward to playing golf with his close friends; years ago he made a hole in one. One of his joys was working in his shop. Bill was a man of great integrity. He had a heart of gold and was generous, a great story teller and always made people laugh. Bill loved spending time with friends and family, he also loved animals and barbeques during the summer. Bill and Vi were married for 55 years, they truly had a fairytale life together. Bill adored Vi as she did him, they were always together. Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Viola. His loving daughter, Christine Rowe; her special friend, Ray Marsh; his cousins, Bill and John Anderson and his son, Steven Rowe. At Bill’s request, no services will be held.

William Lewis Rowe

February 9, 1927 - March 14, 2016