Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 25, 2021, at Shiloh Cowboy Church to honor the life of Mr. William Eugene Rowsey Sr., 80, of Coffeeville, who died on Tuesday, June 22, at his residence surrounded by his family. A private burial followed in Oak Hill Cemetery at Water Valley. The Rev. Ron Sessum, the Rev. Truman Scarborough and the Rev. Larry Schmitz officiated. The family received friends one hour prior to the service on Friday, June 25, at the church.
Billy was a devout Christian and a member of Shiloh Cowboy Church where he played piano and accordion. He also played bass violin with the Shiloh Cowboy Band. He was also a member of First Baptist Church in Coffeeville.
Billy worked for BellSouth, AT&T and Lucent Technologies for 38 years as a PBX installer. He loved driving tractors and bulldozers, farming, woodworking and driving his pug, Wrinkles, around the farm on his side-by-side into the sunset. He was known around Coffeeville as the “Telephone Man.”
While his death leaves an emptiness in so many hearts, the family is at peace knowing that he has seen the face of Jesus. He is free from illness and suffering and he has joined his wife, son, sister and parents, which have gone before him.
His parents, Bobby and Claudia Burns Rowsey; his wife of 60 years, Betty Sessums Rowsey; one son, Anthony “Steve” Rowsey, and a sister, Sandra Kay Rowsey Philley, preceded Billy in death.
Survivors include, his daughters, Cathy Vaughn (Clay) of Coffeeville and Sheila Schmitz (Larry) of Water Valley; one son, Bill “Bill2” Rowsey Jr. of Coffeeville; two step grandchildren, Shay Schmitz and Eric Schmitz (Ja’Reba); two step great grandchildren, Kaden Schmitz and Raegon Schmitz; two brothers, John H. Rowsey (Nancy) of Hoschton, Ga., and Kenneth E. Rowsey (Carol) of Meridian and a host of nieces and nephews. He also helped his wife raise three children in their home, Tyler Wortham III, Bud Adams and Haley Ferguson.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada was in charge of arrangements.
