NORMAL - William R. Roland, Jr., 71, of Normal, died 8:30 p.m. Thursday (July 16, 2009) at BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal.
His graveside service will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Funks Grove Cemetery, rural McLean, where inurnment will follow. Fr. Ric Schneider will officiate. There will be no visitation. Memorial gifts may be made to American Eskimo Rescue and Sanctuary of Iowa, c/o Perry and Stacie Mancini, 2567 Kennedy St., St. Charles, IA 50240. Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington, is in charge of arrangements.
He was born Jan. 16, 1938, in Bloomington, a son of William Roland Sr. and Inez M. Walden. He married Linda J. Hawkey on Dec. 3, 1969,in Bloomington. She died July 27, 2007.
He is survived by four sons, William B. (Sharon) Roland, Bloomington; Brian J. (Joanna) Roland, Danvers; Bruce L. (Lupe) Roland, Kokomo, Ind.; and Brett (Holly) Bess, Bloomington; his beloved dogs, Twinkie, Casper, Muggles and Gabby; a sister, Rita Cramer, Normal; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Bill was a graduate of Holy Trinity High School. He owned and operated the Econo Wash Laundry, Dry Cleaning and Car Wash on West Market Street in Bloomington and Econo Wash II at Main and Emerson streets in Bloomington from 1969 until 2007.
He was a member of Darnell's Skeet and Trap Gun Range in Bloomington, Single Action Shooters Society (SASS), the National Rifle Association, and SIRS. He enjoyed radio-control airplanes and photography.
He loved his dogs and participated in many rescues of American Eskimo dogs.
Posted in Obituaries on Pantagraph.com Sunday, July 19, 2009
