William J Rowan (Bill) died April 1, 2023 at the age of 98.
Bill is survived by his sister Doris & Thomas Falin; Daughters: Linda & Thomas Hittle, Sharon Romaine, Teresa & David Shupp, Margaret & Rick Federico, Barbara & Thomas Reynolds, and Kathleen & Kenneth Mathes; Grandchildren: Christine Goldby, Kate Grey, Mark Romaine, Kelly Worley, Alex Shupp, Rosemary Ciletti, Ricky Federico, Brad Federico, Matthew Federico, Maddie Rindal, Shea Federico, Emily Harper, Grace Smith, Michael Cornett and Caroline Cornett; and Great Grandchildren, Carter & Amber Goldby, George Grey, Bennett Romaine, Peyton, Elizabeth & Jackson Worley, June & Louie Federico, Charlie, Noah & Brooke Federico, Preston, Ellianna & Jemma Rindal, Charolette & Reynie Harper and Carden and Margaret Smith.
Bill is predeceased by his wife of 67 years Margaret (Peggy), father William Rowan, mother Alfreda Rowan and sister Elfreda (Ellen) Bernetich.
Bill was born February 2, 1925 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Growing up he was always independent and enjoyed learning and exploring. He was active in scouting throughout his youth earning the rank of Eagle Scout in March of 1942. He also had an interest in cabinetmaking a skill he learned from Grandfather, Reinhold Young.
Upon graduating high school Bill served in the Navy as an Aviation Cadet from January 1943 to September 1945. He earned his Bachelor and Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.
Bill married Margaret F. (Peggy) O'Hara in 1947 and together they raised a family of six daughters.
He started his professional career with Honeywell in 1955 and was granted a patent for invention of a transmitting apparatus. He joined Westinghouse in 1961 and spent the next 21 years in positions which included Astronuclear Laboratory working on the NERVA Reactor Program, the Defense Center as Manager of Mechanical Design for the Mark 48 Torpedo and in Nuclear Divisions he was Manager of Design for the Core of the Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor (LMFBR). After retiring from Westinghouse in 1982 Bill became a consultant for the Department of Energy for several years, here his work included representing the US on various international nuclear power assignments.
Bill and Peggy moved to Knoxville, TN in 1976 with the LMFBR (Clinch River Breeder Reactor) Program. They both grew to love Tennessee, the Smoky Mountains and the VOLS, retiring there they lived in the Knoxville area until 2013 when they moved to the Charlestown Retirement Community in Catonsville, MD.
In his retirement, Bill began a new career in painting and woodcarving. His treasured artwork adorns the walls of his children and grandchildren homes across the country.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, April 28, 2023 at Charlestown Retirement Community with Visitation at the side Chapel of Our Lady of Angels at 10:30 am, 11:00 am Mass at Our Lady of Angels, 715 Maiden Choice Lane, Catonsville, MD 21228, Burial at Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery, 11501 Garrison Forest Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117 at 1 pm, there will be a reception beginning at 12:00 pm for those not attending the burial at the Gallery located on the 2nd Floor (adjacent to the Fireside Restaurant) at Charlestown Square.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in William J. Rowan's name may be made to Catholic Charities of East TN: ccetn.org/donate or mailed to CCETN, 318 N. Gay St, Ste. 100, Knoxville TN 37917