Willis Rowan's Obituary
Willis (Sonny) V. Rowan, 76, of Maroa, died March 17, 2019, in Danville VA Hospital of natural causes.
Willis was born on September 9, 1942 in Port St. Joe, Fl., the son of Willis and Thelma Rowan.
He was previously married to Carol Forbes and together they had three children.
Willis served in the United States Air Force as an Airman Third Class. He was employed at Norfolk and Southern Railroad in Decatur as a boilermaker for a number of years. During his free time, he enjoyed following the national weather and giving reports on impending storms to his children. He also had a natural green thumb and enjoyed gardening, flowers, naming trees, planting and watching things grow. In his earlier years, Sonny enjoyed traveling around the country in his own car or hitchhiking, to view the beauties of this world like birds (his favorite was the Pelican), trees and the ocean. Many of his fondest memories were of childhood at his grandpa’s house in Port St. Joe, Fl.
Willis is survived by his children, Staci (Gary) Bonds, Tye Rowan, and Derek Rowan; grandchildren, Andrew Kovaleski, Samantha Bonds, Grace Bonds, and Savannah Rowan.
Willis was preceded in death by his father Willis V. Rowan; mother Thelma Rowan; and his twin sister, Diane Patzwitz.
Willis had an eye for the beauty of life, a great memory of the distant past, and those who knew him always enjoyed listening to his journey and story of life! He will be missed, but is in a better place.
A Celebration of Life will be at 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on March 22, at Doherty’s in Decatur, IL.
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