Laois locals mourn the loss of well-known Portlaoise businessman

There is great sadness across Laois following the sad passing of a well-known Portlaoise businessman.

William (Billy) Rowan, founder of Reliable House Furnishers on Portlaoise's Station road, sadly passed away on Thursday January 22 surrounded by his loving family.

The business has been a fixture of Portlaoise since its opening in November of 1969, and has grown steadily from modest beginnings into a trusted destination for furniture, carpets, blinds and flooring. 

Pictured: The Rowan Family; Pamela, Billy (RIP), Nicola, Harry and Serena celebrating 55 years in business in 2024. Photo: The Leinster Express

Billy began his working career in Shaw's department store, where he worked for 12 years. His entrepreneurial streak ran deep, and he set up a business in Carlow where he supplied mushrooms for a time. 

He opened Reliable House Furnishers at the same location it exists today, what was formerly a dance hall. In the beginning, Billy was so committed to seeing the business grow, that he travelled to Dublin every weekend to source high quality furniture for his shop.

Billy ran the shop alongside his brothers Harry and Douglas. Together, they weathered changing times and economic challenges, while keeping the business rooted firmly in the community it served.

Those who knew Billy best often described his approach as simple and steady: do right by people, and the business will follow.

He believed in quality, fairness, and looking after customers, values that were evident in the way the shop operated year after year.

Billy was predeceased by his beloved wife Florence and his brother Douglas.

He is dearly loved by his daughters Serena, Pamela and Nicola, and cherished as a grandfather to Naomi, Miriam and Andrew.

He is deeply regretted by his sons-in-law, extended family, friends, and by the many loyal customers who came to know him over decades in business.

As Laois locals reflect on his life, many will remember Billy Rowan not only as a businessman, but as someone who helped generations turn houses into homes.

Tributes have poured in across the county in memory of Billy, with hundreds of people remembering Billy as a true gentleman.

"Billy was a real gentleman. He will be missed in the community of Portlaoise and surrounding areas of Laois. 56 years in business is a very long time. His family can always be very proud of what Billy has achieved in providing the people in Laois with all their household furnishings over the years," one person said.

"Our sincere condolences to the family on Billy's passing. He was such a well known and respected man in Portlaoise and ran a great business for so many years. May Heaven be his bed. He will be missed by many," another person paid tribute.

"It’s with deep sadness that I heard of Billy’s passing. A kind gentle man always willing to support and help out," another tribute read.

"As a customer of Relable House Furnishers for the last 45 years Billy was always so obliging and friendly... many chats were had down through the years!! He will be sorely missed," another condolence read.

See Billy's funeral arrangements below.