William Woody Rolland

CANTON — On March 22, 2025 at 3:45 a.m. William Woody Rolland went home to be with his Heavenly Father.

Son of George Ephraim "Eph" and Bessie Woody Rolland, Bill was born on June 08, 1931 in Buncombe County. He grew up in Canton, N.C. and graduated from Canton High School. While a student at Canton High School, Bill played drum and tuba in the band. During his school years he also played snare drum at the gravesides of service members killed in action during World War II.

Bill graduated from King College, Bristol, Tennessee in 1953, and went on to earn his Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics from Duke University. His career as a College Professor began at King College in Bristol, Tenn. until 1968. He loved astronomy and helped Dr. Ed Burke build the telescope and observatory at King College during his time there. In 1968 he began teaching at St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, and continued there for 43 years. While at St. Andrews, Bill taught Physics, Mathematics, and Computer Science.

He was a lifelong committed Christian and a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Laurinburg. He served as Commissioned Lay Pastor for Manly Presbyterian Church in Southern Pines for approximately 27 years. For the past 14 years, he has been a member of Canton Presbyterian Church in Canton. Bill was a wonderful storyteller, had a quick wit, and was a great outdoorsman. He also enjoyed learning about and preserving history in his later years.

Bill and his wife, Joy, raised four wonderful children.

Bill Rolland was preceded in death by his wife Joy and his parents, Eph and Bessie Rolland.

He is survived by his children, Bill Rolland (Nancy) of Southern Pines, NC, George Rolland (Sarah) of Canton, NC, Betsy Robbins (Lonnie) of Raeford, NC, and John Rolland (Jenny) of Waynesville, NC. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Jessie Flowers (John) of Greer, SC, Will Robbins (Kim) of Raeford, NC, Elizabeth Rich (Austin) of Fayetteville, NC, Emily Tew (John) of Sanford, NC, Hannah Rolland of Southern Pines, NC, Joseph Rolland (Bailey) of Alexandria, VA, Bethany MacMillian (Jeziah) of Waynesville, NC, and David Rolland (fiancée Isabella Brumfield) of Boone, NC; and great grandchildren (soon to be 5, due in June) Mattie Joy and Elijah Flowers and Tanner and Lane Robbins.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 31, 2025 at Canton Presbyterian, 190 Main St. Canton, NC. The family will receive friends at the Church from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the service. Reverend Esta Jarrett will be officiating.

The care of Dr. Rolland has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes of Canton.