Butch Rowland

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary0

Billie Wayne “Butch” Rowland, age 78, of Carterville, Missouri passed away Sunday July 27, 2025, following a sudden illness.

He was born on February 4, 1947, in Webb City, Missouri to Billie Gene and Doris (Bates) Rowland.

Butch was a firefighter in Carthage, Missouri for 37 years, retiring at the rank of Captain. Growing up, Butch began his firefighting career on the Carterville Fire Department with his grandfather, Chief Leonard Bates, he then served as a firefighter in the United States Army in Viet Nam, and at the Webb City Fire Department. 

Butch was instrumental in the creation and development of the Jasper County E911 Emergency Services System, and 911 Center, later serving several years as a member of the Board of Directors.

He married Kathy Halteman on January 20, 1967, and she survives. Butch is also survived by a son, Billie Leonard Rowland, wife Laury (Mobile, AL), three daughters, Kesslie Corner, husband Scott, (Mobile, AL), Korie Stansill, Carterville, Rachel Branch, husband Kirby, Carterville; thirteen grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, one sister, Nancy Scott (Covington, GA), and recently included the family of Matt Fritz, his wife Kerri and son Scott, (Hutchinson KS) , with numerous extended family and friends.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother Constance Rowland, step-father Bert Johnson, grandparents Leonard and Lela Bates, two brothers; Lyle E. McMechan, and Carroll Rowland, one sister Michelle Mitcham, and his Aunt Alice McMechan.

Services will be held will be held at the Carterville Christian Church on Monday, August 4, 2025. Visitation will be from 11:00am to 1:00pm with the funeral service to begin at 1:00pm. Burial will follow at the Carterville Cemetery with full military honors and the Fire Department Service Recognition Ceremony with Formal Honors.