William E. Armour

Date of Death: March 19, 2020

William Eugene Armour, age 63, died at home with his family at his side on Thursday, March 19, 2020 after battling lung cancer for 10 months.

Bill was born to Edward and Cecelia Gatts Armour in Washington, D.C. on May 4,^,1956. Bill grew up in Oxon Hill, MD and is a 1974 graduate of Oxon Hill High School. Bill graduated from The University of Maryland (Fear the Turtle) in 1983 (on the 9 year plan) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.

After graduation, he began his engineering career with Essex Corporation supporting the Trident Submarine Preventive Maintenance Program. Bill moved through a few other engineering jobs in the next few years and was certified as a Professional Engineer in that time. Before retiring in 2017, Bill was a contractor for the Department of Labor’s Job Core Program for 17 years. He was part of a team that provided facilities management for all the Job Core sites across the U.S.

On January 2, 1982 Bill met his future wife, Rosann Halama while skiing at Blue Knob Ski Resort. It took a few years of convincing her they were destined to be together, but persistence paid off and on April 30, 1988 they were married. They welcomed their son Nicholas Edward Armour into the world on June 16, 1997.

Skiing was the family sport and the center of family vacations starting with their honeymoon in Zermatt Switzerland. Annual family ski trips out west were never missed and began including Nicholas at age 4 and our extended Melquist/Jost/Falls Church family as well. Bill was also a part of the “Boyz of Winter” group that have been skiing together over 30 years.

Boating and fishing were Bill’s other hobbies. There were many fishing trips on the Chesapeake Bay, Ocracoke, NC and Costa Rica with his brother Rob and best buddies Vic, Andy and Tom. He has passed on his captain duties to Nicholas.

Bill’s true passion was tinkering with motorcycles and his Mustangs. He spent countless hours and dollars restoring and rebuilding his Norton Commando motorcycle (multiple times) as well as customizing his 2012 Mustang GT. His latest project is worthy of being featured on one of the many, many, many car shows he watched; A custom bike that started as a Kawasaki still has a bit of work left on it.

Bill was a loyal Redskins fan, enjoying the great years as well as enduring the bad ones and attended most home games for over 20 years. He enjoyed the recent Capitals Stanly Cup Season and the Nat’s Series Championship especially since relocating to the “City of Champions”! There was a lot of tension in the Armour household during the Pen’s – Cap’s series that year!

Until 2017, Bill spent his entire life living and working inside the Beltway in Maryland growing up and attending The University of Maryland. He moved across the Potomac to Virginia after graduation and landed in Falls Church, VA with Rosann when they married. In 2017 they retired to Rosann’s hometown of Monaca, PA where they built their dream house on the Ohio River.

Bill was preceded in death by his father in 2007 and mother in 2017. Also proceeding him were his niece Robyn Armour in 2008, his father-in-law Nikolaj Halama in 2015 and his brother-in-law Michael Halama in 2017.

He is survived by his wife Rosann, son Nicholas Edward; his mother-in-law, Mary Halama, all of Monaca, PA; brother and sister-in-law, Rob and Barb Armour of Avenue, MD; brother-in-law David (Bea) Halama of Monaca; nephew John (Sierra) Armour, great nephew and niece Braxton and Brynlee Armour all of Mechanicsville, MD.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date when all of our family and friends can gather together.

William Eugene Armour, age 63, died at home with his family at his side on Thursday, March 19, 2020 after battling lung cancer for 10 months. Bill was born to Edward and Cecelia Gatts Armour in Washington, D.C. on May 4,, 1956. Bill grew up in Oxon Hill, MD and is a 1974 graduate ofContinue Reading

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Dear Rosann and Nicholas, I am so sorry for your loss. All my thoughts and love are with you at this time. I remember very clearly the first time I met Bill. Early December 1997, I'd been in the States for a month and a half and Rosann and I were in the basement bar in their Falls church house, preparing to go to the office Christmas party. Bill came bounding down the stairs, brandishing an enormous bottle of Goldschlager with glee and a huge smile on his face. He made me my first To-Go-Cup; 2 pints of Vodka and Tonic (easy on the tonic and 1 cube of ice since I was British). For the next 22 years, he treated me as a member of his family for all the BBQ's, high days and holidays.He forgave me when Rosann blamed me for everything (......didn't necessarily forgive Rosann) and always welcomed me into his home. A big bear of a man, sometimes grumpy, remarkably shy, always sarcastically witty and with a huge heart, full of kindness. The world is a smaller and much sadder place without him. xxoo

Rosann and Nicholas: our sincere condolences for Bill’s passing. Nigel and I recall such an amazing weekend with you both and Jan in Virginia a few years ago. We have fond memories of visiting Arlington cemetery and all the famous Washington monuments. It was a glorious weekend and Bill was in good form, as was everyone. Nigel helped Bill bbq and worked the “smoker” for ages. Friends came round, we had Rosann’s great corn dish, and the weather glorious. Bill and Nigel exchanged motorcycle stories. This is how Bill will be remembered; smiling, content and with a beer in his hand surrounded by family and friends. May he rest in peace. Cris & Nigel

Very sad to hear about Bill passing. My sincere condolences to Rosann, their son and family. I will never forget a couple of occasions Bill and I connected, that shows his big heart, kindness and happy demeanour. Late 90s in Bill and Rosann’s house during a gathering with friends, Bill showed me his precious bicycle hidden in the garden shed. He talked with pride and determination about working and restoring it one day. On another occasion Bill invited me to go see a Redskins game with him at FedEx field. As this was my first time in a live game, it was a fantastic event for me. Bill was the perfect host, and got me introduced to the whole Redskins experience that day. Will never forget that. Rest in Peace my friend.Elias

Dear Rosann and Nicolas ~ I only met Bill a couple of times and, to me he was a lovely gentle guy with a great sense of humour and a love of family and bikes. If it wasn’t for Bill I would never have gone to the Bikers Ace Café that time with Jan. I remember that my brother would have been jealous of us going there as he shared Bill’s passion for bikes, especially old ones ! My abiding memory, however, was us all getting stuck in Jan’s lift in Putney where we all tried to remain calm and sensible even though we were really a little drunk and panicked ! I’m pretty sure Bill was the calmest. Sending our love and thoughts from North Yorkshire xxx Kerry, Andy, Iain & Stephen

Planning ahead is prudent. Call us now.

This is a great man and an even better Uncle. He always made me laugh, smile and feel better about myself. Uncle Bill was an awesome role model and my sincere love, condolences & support goes out to everyone who knew him. My Father Thomas loved you with all his heart Uncle Bill and he prayed that you ultimately came to Christ along your path. God Speed, Bill... keep the boat docked for us. We All Love You.

Rosann, my heartfelt sympathy to you and Nicholas. It was a great loss in such a difficult time. I was deeply saddened with the news of Bill passing. I was so lucky to have known and worked with Bill for 17 years up until his retirement. We both started on the Job Corps Program back in 2000, mine was two months after his. First with PBDewberry and later with Parsons, all together we had so many surveys and travels across the country from East coast to West coast, including Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico.More than just a co-worker we became good friends. We shared some up and down moments in life. He attended my mother funeral in 2004. I attended his father funeral in 2007. I had lunch with Bill, his mother and Rosann when his mother moved from Florida to Virginia. In the office we often go for lunch together with some others, many times at the Vietnamese Soup Pho 75 in Rosslyn or Tachibana Sushi bar in McLean, our favorites. Off work, I had the privilege to invite him to my housewarming party and myself was invited to quite a few Christmas parties at Bill home with his family and circle of his high school friends. I vividly remember at one Christmas party I drank so much that I fell asleep on the couch and ended up spending a cozy night at his house. Those good old days are engraved in my memory.Till We Meet Again, rest in peace Bill Armour, my buddy.

Bill was a pillar at the PBDewberry and then Parsons office here in Arlington. He and Constantin held court there along the windows and kept the survey teams steady with wry humor and professionalism. He was deeply respected by all of us who worked and traveled with him. He was generous with his knowledge and yet did not suffer fools. We were much diminished by his departure. I’m proud to have known him but very saddened by his early departure. Deepest condolences.

Sad to hear about his passing. Known him since my childhood days in Oxon Hill, MD. My condolences to family.

I am deeply sorry for your loss Roseanne.

Rosann & Nicholas - Our heartfelt sympathy to both of you. It was with such deep sadness that we heard of Bill's passing. We feel so fortunate to have such fond memories of our times together. Whether it was skiing in Colorado, boating on the Chesapeake, barbecuing in the back yard or holidaying in Bermuda, Bill was always such an important part of making those occasions so special. Our thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time. Love, John & Mary

Rosanne and Nick - please accept our deepest sympathies. We will always remember Bill grilling food for the parties in the backyard of your Falls Church house and taking pictures of the boys at little league games. Our love to you both.

Rosann My deepest sympathy to you and your family. My prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.