William John Alexander Rowell, “Bill”, was born Sept 10 1927 in Winnipeg Manitoba. He was the second oldest child of William and Clara Rowell. He was predeceased by his loving wife Barbara in 2015 after 64 years of marriage. Also predeceased by siblings Dorothy Renton, Muriel Heppner and David Rowell. Bill was athletic, musical and had an artistic hand. He studied Commerce and Actuarial sciences, graduating at age 21 from the University of Manitoba. He worked initially for London Life in London Ontario where he and his wife Barbara started their family and built their first home. To advance his career, Bill moved his family to Montreal and began working as an auditor for the Federal Government Department of Finance.
Bill had been committed to the Pentecostal Church from a young age and had witnessed miraculous healings of Barbara after childbirth complications and of himself after nearly dying from untreated appendicitis. He was committed to attending church as a single man and continued to bring his family to church weekly. The family enjoyed being active in Evangel and Lakeshore Churches in Montreal and Dorval. Bill kept the children busy camping, attending Coburg camp and also trips to New York and the ’67 World’s Fair in Montreal. Further career opportunities brought the family out to Vancouver in 1968. They lived 17 years in West Vancouver learning to enjoy the great outdoors and were avidly involved in Broadway Pentecostal Church. Dad was very happy to have Allan Hornby, whom he knew in Montreal, become lead Pastor and supported him by being on the church board for 6 years as well as treasurer for 4 years. Bill and Barbara enjoyed entertaining friends and church groups at their home in West Van. Dad made sure that his children had a great education, with musical and art training as well as opportunities in sports. He looked at each of his children for their own strengths and quietly supported and guided them. On retirement, Bill and Barbara moved to Abbotsford where they lived for 25 years. They took the opportunity to support missionary and pastoral training since Barbara had been a missionary and Bill was on the Board of Summit Pacific College. Bill loved his grandchildren and had many happy times with them at Beachwood, at his daughters’ homes and visiting John in Eugene Oregon. They also visited son Robert’s family in Alberta several times. He was amazed that God allowed him to live 93 years and recalled with Joanne Psalm 23 by memory 3 days prior to passing into the Lord’s presence. What a wonderful life of accomplishment he lived as a father, husband, grandfather and son in the kingdom of God. He is remembered by his son Bill Jr, daughter Joy (David), son Robert (Karen), son John (Sheri), daughter JoAnne (Ernie) and 13 grandchildren Derek (Christina), Gregory (Laurelle), Tyler (Alexis), Scott (Yolanda), Jeffrey (Liana), Julie( William), Kathleen, Karina (Jesse), Carolyn (Daniel), Christina, Madeleine, Alexander and Nathan. Great grandchildren are Constantine, Ruby-Ann, Sullivan, Teagan, and Locke.
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