Reverend William Alton Rowell

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, April 22, 2010 in the Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers for Reverend William Alton Rowell, Jr., 65, who passed away on April 18, 2010 at 4:40 am at his residence. Reverend William Peeples, Pastor of Faith Community United Methodist Church, will conduct the funeral services. Reverend Tony Ranero, Reverend Kathy Fitzhugh and Revered Cory Sparks will assist with conduction of the services. Mr. Rowell, Jr., a resident of Broussard, LA, was the son of the late William Alton Rowell, Sr. of Bienville, Louisiana and the former Velma Tucker of Gainsville, Texas. Rev. Bill Rowell grew up in a military family and graduated from Byrd High School in Shreveport, LA. He earned a B.A. degree in Speech Education from Northwestern State College in Natchitoches, LA and a Masters of Theology from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. He served the Eureka-Streetman Charge in Texas before returning to Louisiana. In Louisiana he served the following United Methodist Charges; Doyline-Sibley; Quitman-Faith; Rayne-Branch; Iowa-Hayes; Eunice-Iota; McGuire UMC; West Monroe; First Arcadia-Mt. Mariah; Palestine UMC; First UMC Franklin-McGowen UMC; and First UMC Kenner. He served on the Board of Louisiana Methodist Children's Home in Ruston and was elected a Lifetime Member. Over the years, he served on various Boards and Commissions of the Louisiana Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Rev. Rowell was active in hurricane relief efforts after Hurricanes Andrew and Katrina. In Franklin he was recognized as Kiwanian of the Year for 93-94 and served on the board establishing Habitat for Humanity in St. Mary Parish. Rev. Rowell taught English as a second language in Kenner. He had been active in the United Methodist Cursillo and the Karios ministries at Angola and St. Gabriel. Early in his ministry he led youth camps and became a mentor for young adults going into ministry. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Betty Morgan Rowell; one daughter, Adena Tulloh and husband Steve Tulloh of Hurricane, WV; one son, Morgan Rowell of San Antonio, TX; four grandchildren, Dax Rowell, Drake Rowell, Tristin Rowell and Aiden Tulloh; one step-grandson, Jonathan Tulloh; one niece Jennifer Van Metre and one sister, Vicky Curry and husband J.P. Curry of Arcadia, LA. He was preceded in death by his parents. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home of Lafayette on Thursday, April 22, 2010 from 12:00 pm until the time of service. In lieu of flowers donations can made to Louisiana Methodist Children's Home, P.O. Box 929, Ruston, LA 71273-0929. Personal condolences may be sent to the Rowell family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Reverend William Alton Rowell

January 2, 1945 - April 18, 2010