William (Billy) Rollwitz

William (Billy) Rollwitz, 80, of Rowena passed away Friday, October 19, 2018. He was born January 24, 1938 to Raymond and Isabella (Moeller) Rollwitz in San Angelo, Texas and lived in Rowena all his life. He married his high school sweetheart, Sylvia Franke Rollwitz, on May 10, 1960 in Rowena and shared 58 years of marriage.

He started working at Middleton Chevrolet during high school where he learned his mechanic skills. He then owned and operated a welding and tractor mechanic shop in Rowena. Billy later went on to farming full time but then returned to what he loved the most and opened a welding shop in Rowena where he built hay buggies and utility trailers. He loved nothing better than going to farm equipment sales and finding all the best deals. Billy organized the Rowena Farm Equipment Sale every spring for the last 30 plus years.

Billy served in the U.S. Army and Reserves. He served on SPJST rest home board for 25 years, serving as Treasurer for many of those. Billy was SPJST Field Rep for 5 ½ years and then became SPJST District IV Director where he currently has served for the past 13 years. He was a member of Post 8 American Legion in Ballinger serving as Post Commander, District Zone Commander, District Finance Officer and District 21 Commander. Billy was instrumental in getting the Runnels County Veterans Memorial Monument erected in Ballinger, which he was very proud of. He was a lifetime member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Rowena, a member of the Knights of Columbus and SPJST Lodge 49 in Rowena.

Preceded in death by his parents, a infant son, Richard, sister Dorothy Capes, brother Curtis Rollwitz, and father and mother-in-law, Tony and Leona Franke. Also, sisters-in-law Rose Marie Franke, Floy Franke and brothers-in-law Leon Franke and Duane Weller.

Survivors include his wife, Sylvia, daughters Jackie (Jerry) Pospichal of Rowena, Donna (Curtis) Kalina and Connie (Mac) Dodson of Miles, and son Brennan (Lee Ann) Rollwitz of Rowena. Grandchildren Laura Pospichal, Matthew (Britney) Kalina, Jacob (Shelby) Kalina, Clint Dodson, Nathanial (Brittany) Gallion, Anthony (Kim) Rollwitz, Richard Rollwitz, Kaycee Rollwitz, Joseph Pospichal and Ana Fuentes, two step-grandchildren Theresa Pospichal and Jason Pospichal and six great-grandchildren. Also surviving are brother Roy (Sandra) Rollwitz, sister Pauline Rollwitz, sisters-in-law Carolyn Rollwitz and Eileen Weller and brothers-in-law Ross Capes, Wilfred Franke and Harold (Dolores) Franke and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Rosary service will be held at 6:00 pm Monday, October 22, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rowena. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am Tuesday at St. Joseph with Fr. Ariel Lagunilla celebrating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be the grandsons

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society or a favorite charity.