Wilton Rowland

Wilton Rowland

Martinez, GA- Wilton Parker Rowland, Sr., also known as “Pop” or “Papa,” 90, was called up to the “The Majors” on Saturday, September 10, 2016, entering into the loving arms of His Lord.

Wilton was a family man that loved the Lord, people - especially kids, his country, and the great sport of baseball. He was a friend to all, with a servant heart. 60 years ago, he went on a blind date with the woman who would become his wife & never looked back. Harriett was the love of his life. 6 kids, 17 grandkids, & 3 great-grandkids later, he was pretty proud of the legacy he built. Whistler extraordinaire, master of nickname giving, and an encyclopedia of baseball knowledge, he was truly one of a kind.

He was a loving Papa. He always had a Nutty Buddy on hand for all of the grandkids any time they came around. He taught his grandchildren a lot of things - how to play catch, how to spit (ha!), how to whistle, how to be good athletes, the list goes on. But most importantly - he taught them how to love other people, how to play sports, as well as the game of life, how to pray before every meal, how to treat everyone with respect. When it came to his grandsons, he also taught them how to carry themselves like men, love their families and be a good father and a good husband, and this was a great example to his granddaughters also.

A lover of all things baseball, Wilton played professional baseball for the Cardinals organization as well as the Augusta Tigers. He was known and loved by many for his dedication to the Augusta youth he coached and supported, on baseball and basketball teams, for over 30 years. He lead the Augusta All Stars Junior American Basketball Association team to win the 1972 National Championship in Pennsylvania.

Wilton was a veteran of WWII, having served in the US Navy.
He was a member of the John S. Davidson Masonic Lodge #677. He also retired from Civil Service at Ft. Gordon, GA and the Richmond County Recreation Department.

In a turn of events none of their families could have imagined, Wilton’s older brother Charles Henry (Buddy) Rowland rounded third base and made it Home on Saturday, just shortly before his younger brother Wilton slid in safely behind him. Two brothers, aged 94 and 90, drafted into the Heavenly team on the same day. We picture these two, as young men (like in Field of Dreams), and can just see Uncle Buddy jumping up and down and waving his brother around third base, all the way home. What a celebration they had together! And what a gracious God, whose timing is perfect. Neither had to mourn the loss of their brother. On Saturday, September 10th, they fully saw, and knew, Who's on First.

Wilton was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Henry Rowland, Sr. and Emma Reese Rowland; two sisters, Voncile Tudor and Bessie Neal: and two brothers, Charles Henry Rowland, Jr. and Harry Thomas Rowland; His grandson Grant Parker Rowland.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Harriett Hamner Rowland of Augusta; Their children: Cheri Rowland, Wilton Parker Rowland, Jr.(Abby), Gregory Davis Rowland (Tori), Jeffrey Wayne Rowland, Henry Clayton Rowland (Elizabeth), and Heather Rowland Brabham (Gus). Seventeen grandchildren: Scott Parker Rowland (Paige), Ethan Thomas Rowland, Matthew Rand Rowland, Wilton Garrett Lighthorse Rowland, Austin Gregory Rowland, Daniel Lee Rowland, Jackson Henry Rowland; Jordan Page Rowland, Evann Elisabeth Rowland, Jennifer Rowland Roberson (Matthew), Jeffrey Daniel Rowland (Mara), Carolyn Rowland Sowder (Eric), Casey Layne Rowland, Henry Clayton Rowland, Angus McKay Brabham V, Walter Clayton Brabham, Nathaniel Westmoreland Brabham. Three great grandchildren: Maggie Grace Roberson, Daniel Barrett Sowder and Elisa Marie Rowland.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. in the chapel of Thomas Potent & Son with Rev. Larry Harmon officiating. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706)364-8484.