Mr William Rowland Thomas (known as Rowland) died on 12 August 2008, aged 82. He was the younger son of the late Rev. Jack Thomas and the late Mrs Marion Thomas, and brother of the late Ieuan Thomas, also a dentist.

Rowland and Ieuan were brought up in Haverfordwest and spent much time on the Pembrokeshire coast, cycling the eight miles to Little Haven. As boys both were strong swimmers, and at least one person owes their life to the brothers, who rescued a swimmer in difficulty. After the war, Rowland and his brother studied dentistry at Guy's Hospital in London, and subsequently set up dental practice together in Worcester. Rowland then served in the army in Cyprus for several years before returning to south Wales where he looked after his elderly mother in Ystrad Rhondda (where his maternal grandfather had been treasurer to the town council), and practised dentistry at Goodwin & Partners in Porth until his retirement.

Rowland never married, but spent many holidays with his brother's family in Norfolk and in France. He was a keen golfer and Treasurer of the senior section of the Penrhys Golf Club. He was a thoughtful and generous man who always took an interest in others around him and gave generously to charitable causes. In latter years he developed diabetes and had a leg amputated due to infection, and despite much time in hospital and subsequently living on his own with this disability, he was always upbeat and never complained. Rowland was a greatly liked and respected member of the local community and will be remembered with great affection by family and friends.

The funeral took place on Friday 22 August at Dewi Reynolds' Chapel of Rest in Treorchy. Rowland wished to be subsequently interred with family in Haverfordwest.