William D. Rowe, Jr., loving husband, father, grandfather, friend, uncle, and neighbor, died peacefully at home on April 5, 2018, 25 days short of his 95th birthday.

Beloved husband of his late wife, Audrey Brostrom Rowe, for almost 50 years, and beloved partner to Joan Storer for the last 13, he is survived by his children, Karen Rowe Rader (Whiting NJ), Bill III (Doylestown), and Jeff(North Wales), and his grandchildren, Dan and Dave (Sara) Rader and Kristen and Jon Rowe.

Having grown up on a farm in Bucks County with uncles and cousins who continued farming, there remain many related families in the area of the Yerkes/Hogeland names. He was proud to be part of that very large extended family and other farming friends, and they gave him much pleasure and many wonderful memories. As the last living of his family's 8 siblings, he leaves many cousins, nephews and nieces, who counted him as a special part of their lives. He especially enjoyed yearly reunions at None Such Farm in Buckingham and the Middletown Grange Fair to get to see many of them.

Bill and Audrey built and ran the Wagon House restaurant, in Southampton, during the 50s and 60s. Bill was the carpenter/creator of the building, and often chief cook and errand runner at the restaurant for over 15 years. Then, Bill worked in heavy machinery until he retired in 1993 to be primary caregiver of Audrey until her death in 2001. He also drove a Centennial School District bus in the 60s, and had the Southampton Fire Company emergency phone in the restaurant kitchen, because "they needed the help".

Bill was a member of the North and Southampton Reformed Church in Churchville, and attended services with his best friend, Joan, at Redemption Episcopal Church in Southampton for several years.

A quiet man who really enjoyed laughing, he could be counted on take care of things that needed to be done...and almost always left things much better because of his efforts. He, as many of us have said, could "fix anything"!! (Well, there is that dishwasher that just never cooperated!!) He took pride in his work and home, and up until a couple of years ago, was caring for the large home and property on 2nd Street Pike.....in his late 80s, installing picket fencing and putting a new roof on his shed!! He truly was a force of nature!

His hobbies also included gardening, carpentry, reading and enjoying most music, as well as cooking and baking. To say that he was almost always "doing something" is an understatement. He enjoyed keeping in touch with family and friends, especially having the annual 4th of July gathering at his house on "the Pike" to watch the Southampton parade.

For the past few years, he had to take things a little easier, but found much joy in the little things, especially spending time with his best friend, Joan. Over the past few weeks, the family is grateful for the care of Home Health Aides and nurses who helped keep Bill comfortable at home. He had said that he "still had things he wanted to do", so we know that the pearly gates are probably getting painted as we speak!!

He will be missed by many!

Bill's family will receive relatives and friends on Tues., April 10th, from 10 to 11 AM at the James J. McGhee Funeral Home, 690 Belmont Ave. Southampton, PA. Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM with celebrant Rev. Pastor Bethany Devos. Bill will be laid to rest at Newtown Cemetery in Newtown, PA.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions, in memory of William Rowe Jr., may be sent to the Alzheimers Association Delaware Valley Chapter- 399 Market St #102, Philadelphia, PA 19106, or to North and Southampton Reformed Church- 1380 Bristol Rd, Southampton, PA 18966.

Condolences may be sent to Bill's family by visiting www.McGheeFuneralHome.com