At age 70, Rowland Williams passed away after a fierce battle with cancer. Rowland was born on May 17, 1936, to William Henry Williams and Eva Wiggins Williams in Norfolk, Va. He was a long-time resident of Oak Harbor and Sedro-Woolley.

Rowland joined the Navy on May 18, 1954, and rose to the position of Master Chief, and served tours during the Korean War era and three tours in Vietnam. He also worked on the Gemini space mission, and was the first African American to work directly under Admiral Zumwalt. He also worked as the Human Resources officer responsible for race relations, and alcohol/drug counseling. He retired after 23 years of service.

After finishing his naval career, he obtained his two-year degree from Skagit Valley Community College and continued his work with military personnel as a Veteran’s Representative in the Employment Security Department. As an avid veteran’s rights advocate, he was instrumental in helping other veterans get their benefits and educations, by working directly with our state Legislature. He retired from this position on May 31, 2001.

He was also the statewide president of the ESD employee’s union, and chairperson of the local 1060, which are both associated with the Washington Federation of State Employees and the AFL/CIO, AFSCME.

His hobbies included traveling, and with the military he traveled around the world eight times. His favorite destination being Morocco. Some of his most memorable trips were with his wife, and included China, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Hawaii. Other hobbies included his love of his dogs, cars, sports, and jazz. He was always well dressed, and loved shopping. He also loved to spend time with his family, especially at Christmas time.

He is survived by his beloved wife MaryAnn Alderson; his son Greg Williams and daughter-in-law Morgan Williams; son Breon Williams and fiancé Joanie Johnson; and son Kevin Williams; his sister Dorothy Drayton and niece Ercelle Drayton; his granddaughter Erin Williams and her fiancé Jarren Kinch; grandson Jon Williams; his mother-in-law Bernice Vossbeck; brother-in-law Karl Vossbeck and sister-in-law Veronica Vossbeck, and their daughter Erika; brother-in-law Henry Vossbeck and sister-in-law Wendy Vossbeck, their children Kurt and Mandy Vossbeck; and his two dogs, Hydra and Tundra.

Services will be held on Thursday, April 26, at 2 p.m., at Moles Greenacres, 5700 Northwest Drive, Ferndale. There will be a viewing at 1 p.m. and there will also be a small reception following the burial. Donations may be made to the Navy Relief Fund at www.nmcrs.org/ or to the American Cancer Society.

You may share your thoughts and memories of Rowland in the online guest book at www.moles

funeralhomes.com.