William Rowe

William John Rowe, Jan. 21, 1954-June 9, 2020. Musician, Father, Husband, Writer.

Bill spent most of his professional life in sales, where his easygoing charm and charisma, along with his passion for music and genuine personality earned him not only a successful career, but a large number of customers who he could legitimately call friends. But his love of music truly shone in his creativity and performance, whether as bassist for Detroit groups such as Screaming Savage and the Cavemen, the Hellbenders, and the Meltdowns or in the electronic compositions he created after retiring from the gigging life. Much treasured by family and friends are the original songs he made for birthdays, special occasions, or just as gifts when they were needed.
(He once went so far as to lend his wife's new boombox to legendary music producer Rick Rubin in the 1980s, which was never returned.) Bill wrote for publications including Detroit's Metro Times in its early days, writing the cover story for the paper's second issue in 1980, and Black and White, a Sam's Jams publication.
Bill was a devoted family man who enjoyed vacations and travel with his wife and son, and held a special fondness for New York City. While he had achieved his dream of retiring to Florida, he found his love for his family, friends, and hometown too great to deny and returned to the Detroit area, where he remained to the end.
As a committed member of AA, he not only found solace but spent countless hours providing support to fellow members, whether through sponsorship, offering guidance, or just providing a friendly ear when needed.
He leaves behind the love of his life, his wife of 37 years, Suzanne (nee Thomas), and adored son Mark Banaszak (Nicole Taylor). He was preceded in death by his parents Arthur Thomas Rowe and Jean Savage Rowe. Also, beloved family Agatha and Mitchell Thomas, Louis and Maria Cantalini, Gloria and Frank Puglie, Catherine Iannessi, Donald Thomas, David Thomas, Frank Veraldi, Frankie Veraldi, Bob Veraldi, Arthur James Hood, and Angela Viviano.
A memorial ceremony is planned for the end of July. Donations can be made in Bill's honor to the Ferndale Cat Shelter, 821 Livernois, Ferndale, MI 48220 https://www.paypal.me/savethekitties or the Center for Popular Democray at populardemocracy.org/our-partners/detroit-action . Your contributions will be appreciated.




Funeral Arrangements Entrusted to St. Clair Shores Chapel of Bagnasco & Calcaterra Funeral Home, 25800 Harper Avenue (3 blks North of 10 Mile Road) . Share a memory at www.bcfhshores.com