Dr. William J. Rowe

Dr. William Johnston Rowe, Sr. of Decatur, Georgia passed away on April 18th 2008 following a prolonged illness. Dr. Rowe, the son of the late Judge and Mrs. Randell Hendricks Rowe, Sr., was born in Thomaston, Georgia and reared in Madison, Florida. Dr. Rowe attended Emory at Valdosta and was awarded the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery from Emory University School of Dentistry in 1957. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and Delta Sigma Delta dental fraternity. Dr. Rowe served as a Captain with the United States Army in Korea and, following an Honorable Discharge, returned to Decatur where he practiced Dentistry for 50 years. He was a member of Clairmont Presbyterian Church and the Decatur Lions Club. Dr. Rowe was passionate about his profession and an active member and past chairman of the Wilmer Eames Dental Study Group and a member of the Hinman Dental Society, the Northern District Dental Society, the Georgia Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and a Life Member of the American Dental Association. He was a voracious reader and made knowledge and learning a lifelong priority. He also enjoyed woodworking and music. Dr. Rowe's other great love was for his family and his family of patients. He always placed the wants and needs of others before his own and derived great joy from being able to help others achieve their dreams. This example inspired his son to follow in his footsteps in a career of dentistry. His example of selfless service and compassion should serve as a model for the healthcare community. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Elizabeth ("Betty")Cobb Rowe; a son, William Johnston Rowe, Jr., D.D.S., and daughter-in-law, Kristy Roberts Rowe, D.D.S., a granddaughter, Katherine Grace Rowe of Jonesboro, Arkansas; a brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Randell Hendricks Rowe, Jr. of Madison, Florida; a mother-in-law, Mrs. J. Everette Cobb of York, Alabama; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Wells of Mobile, Alabama; nieces and nephews, Judge and Mrs. Randell H. Rowe, III, Mr. and Mrs. Craig Chadwick, Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. J. Smith, Mr. Thomas L. Wells, Jr. and a host of other wonderful family and dear friends. The family also makes a sincere expression of gratitude to all the nurses, caregivers, and doctors who cared for Dr. Rowe in his time spent in the Intensive Care Unit, 3200 floor, and 3600 floor of DeKalb Medical Center. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, April 25th in the chapel of A. S. Turner & Sons with Rev. Ron Hieber and Rev. Megan Johnson officiating. A family graveside service will be performed in York, Alabama at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Clairmont Presbyterian Church at 1994 Clairmont Road, Decatur, Georgia 30033 or DeKalb Medical Center Foundation at 2701 North Decatur Road, Decatur, Georgia 30033. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday at A. S. Turner & Sons.